title: Transpupillary thermotherapy: results in 50 patients with choroidal melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transpupillary thermotherapy in treating choroidal melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  To perform transpupillary thermotherapy, infrared diode laser energy at 810 nm was used with a beam diameter of about 3 mm and 1-minute exposure time. All 50 patients had choroidal melanoma. We performed transpupillary thermotherapy in 21 tumors that had responded insufficiently to 800 Gy ruthenium 106 brachytherapy; it was combined with 800 Gy106Ru brachytherapy for 10 tumors greater than 5 mm in height and with 600 Gy for 19 tumors 5 mm or less in height.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All but 1 tumor exhibited reduction in tumor height within a mean follow-up of 20.5 months (range, 6-49 months). In 41 eyes (82%), the tumor flattened completely. Visual acuity was 20/60 or better in 43 eyes (86%) before treatment and in 14 eyes (28%) at the last examination because of radiation vasculopathy. Neovascular glaucoma developed in 1 eye, and total retinal detachment developed in 2 eyes. Tumor recurrence was observed in 1 patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although long-term results are necessary to properly appraise this new therapy, transpupillary thermotherapy may be useful as a complementary modality to brachytherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. Ophthalm@algemeen.azl.nl
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oosterhuis
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Journée-de Korver
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Keunen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011680:Pupil; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes