[Transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal melanoma].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) to treat choroidal melanoma.


METHODS
17 patients with choroidal melanoma were treated, 6 patients with small tumors close to posterior pole received TTT only 11 patients were treated simultaneously with TTT and Ru 106 brachytherapy. To perform TTT a diode laser with a beam diameter of 1.5 to 3 millimeters was used. Exposure time ranged from 60 to 90 seconds until a light grey appearance of the retinal surface was reached. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1-month intervals. If the tumor was partially regressed additional TTT was performed to reach the endpoint of a chorioretinal scar.


RESULTS
All tumors exhibited a reduction of tumor height in a mean follow-up period of 14.25 months. Side effects were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with TTT may be useful as a complementary modality to brachytherapy. A longer follow-up time is necessary for final evaluation.
Schneider
H
H
Universitäts-Augenklinik Rostock.
Fischer
K
K
Fietkau
R
R
Guthoff
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011680:Pupil; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes