[Radiotherapy of intraocular tumors with Ruthenium-106-containing, beta-emitting ophthalmic applicators. Experiences with treatments performed between 1986 and 1999 in Hungary].
OBJECTIVE
Till October 15, 2004, 312 patients were irradiated with Ruthenium-106-containing ophthalmic applicators at the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Debrecen. In this paper we report on experience gained with the irradiation of 187 patients, treated between 1986 and 1999, whose follow-up time interval was at least 5 years.


METHODS
The distribution according to diagnosis of the patients irradiated between 1986 and 1999 were: choroidal melanoma 148, retinoblastoma 15, retinal angioma 9, carcinoma metastasis 4, subretinal neovascularization 11. The instruments purchased from the German Bebig firm were sutured under surgical circumstances onto the sclera, and were removed from the eye with another operation. The applied dose calculated to the inner surface of the tumors was 100 Gy in the case of choroidal melanomas, and 50 Gy in the case of retinoblastomas.


RESULTS
From the patients irradiated because of malignant intraocular tumors 154 (95.7%) were evaluated. From the evaluated patients 148 (96.1%) are alive. Among the living patients 4 (2.7%) is suffering from distant metastasis. From the irradiated eyes 148 (96.1%) could be saved. Six eyes had to be enucleated, 1 eye because of phthisis bulbi, 2 because of hemorrhagic glaucoma, and 3 because of uncontrollable tumor growth.


CONCLUSIONS
With the help of radioactive isotope-containing applicators the intraocular malignant tumors can be destroyed, so that the eyes can be saved with useful vision, without risking the patients' life.
Berta
András
A
Szemészeti Klinika, Debreceni Egyetem, Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Centrum, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, 4012 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Hungary.
D001610:Beta Particles; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes