Results of treatment of choroidal malignant melanoma with high-dose-rate strontium-90 brachytherapy. A retrospective study of 46 patients treated between 1983 and 1995.
OBJECTIVE
We review the results of treatment of small to medium-sized choroidal malignant melanomas after high-dose-rate brachytherapy with a strontium-90 applicator.


METHODS
The applicator is positioned against the sclera using an afterloading technique. Brachytherapy is completed in a single session lasting 2-4 h with the patient under local anaesthesia. From September 1983 until March 1995, 46 eyes were treated in this way. Most tumours were 7-11 mm in diameter (range from 4.5-15 mm) with a mean height of approximately 3 mm (range from 1.5-7 mm). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean 49 months).


RESULTS
Thirty of the 46 eyes had at the final evaluation a nonevolutive scar (20 of these after a single application, the others with some additional treatment). In 13 eyes the tumours were in involution but their complete destruction was not yet certain, and 3 eyes were enucleated for local recurrence. Three patients developed systemic metastases. No radiogenic complications were noticed.


CONCLUSIONS
Strontium-90 brachytherapy is a valuable and safe treatment technique for small to medium-sized choroidal malignant melanomas. In addition the use of a strontium-90 applicator is inexpensive thanks to this element's long half-life and the short application time.
Missotten
L
L
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
Dirven
W
W
Van der Schueren
A
A
Leys
A
A
De Meester
G
G
Van Limbergen
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes