Calcification in choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the response of calcification in choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy.


METHODS
Interventional case report. A 66-year-old male with a posterior uveal melanoma measuring 10 x 8 x 4.4 mm underwent infrared diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy three times, each 12 weeks apart. For each treatment, a 3-mm spot size of 1-minute duration was used, and the power setting varied between 450 mW and 500 mW.


RESULTS
Two months after the last transpupillary thermotherapy session, A- and B-mode echographic patterns strongly suggestive of intratumor calcification were observed. The tumor regressed to 2.8 mm in thickness, but calcification persisted. Local recurrence or distant metastasis was not detected during a follow-up of 14 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinically detectable calcification is extremely rare in choroidal melanomas. Tumor regression with slowly progressive calcification may occur after transpupillary thermotherapy.
Kiratli
H
H
Ocular Oncology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Sihhiye TR-06100 Ankara, Turkey. Hayyamk@ttnet.net.tr
Bilgiç
S
S
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy*; D011680:Pupil; D014463:Ultrasonography