[Preliminary results of radiosurgery for uveal melanoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical value of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for uveal melanoma.


METHODS
From Jan, 1996 to March, 2004, 16 patients with uveal melanoma were treated with SRS, two by one session (35 Gy, 25 Gy) and fourteen by fractionated SRS (30-55 Gy/2-4F/4-16D). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 100 months (median: 66 months).


RESULTS
All 16 patients were still alive though all were blind in the diseased eye during recent follow-up. Local control rate was 93.4%, 5-year survival rate of 13 patients who have been followed for more than 5 years, was 100% (13/13). However, 7 patients received eyeball enucleation due to corneal ulcer (n = 2), suspicion for uncontrolled tumor (n = 2) and secondary glaucoma (n = 3). One patient developed distant metastasis, though still alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Fractionated radiosurgery is safe and effective for uveal melanoma. It is indicated for lesions of limited size (longest diameter < 20 mm, depth < 15 mm) located in the posterior pole or behind the equator at the back of the eyeball.
Xiao
Jian-ping
JP
Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Xu
Guo-zhen
GZ
Miao
Yan-jun
YJ
Wei
Wen-bin
WB
Hu
Shi-min
SM
Tang
Xin
X
Wang
Jing-zhao
JZ
Wang
Guang-lu
GL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016634:Radiosurgery; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*