Postoperative irradiation for pterygium: retrospective analysis of 1,253 patients from the Osaka University Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
Irradiation of ocular pterygium is considered a valuable treatment supplementation after surgical therapy. Since prospective randomized trials are scare and only limited patient data are available, the aim of this study was to evaluate the patient population treated with fractioned 90Sr irradiation after surgical pterygium resection.


METHODS
Between September 1993 and March 2001, 1,147 patients with pterygium lesions (1,320 lesions) were treated surgically and with 90Sr postoperative beta-irradiation. A total dose of 30 Gy was used for patients treated within 48 h after surgery, while those treated>48 h postoperatively received a total dose of 35 Gy. A minimum follow-up period of 3 months was required for inclusion in the analysis, and 1,253 lesions were ultimately analyzed.


RESULTS
Recurrence of the pterygium after postoperative 90Sr irradiation was observed in 97 of 1,253 cases (7.7%). Statistical analysis (uni- and multivariate) revealed, that male gender, younger age (<40 years), prior treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) and immediate irradiation (<2 h after surgery) were negative predictors for local recurrence. Temporary radiotherapy-induced side effects were observed in 15.2% of patients, including moderate conjunctivitis, local pain, visual disturbance and photophobia or an increase in tear flow. However, no long-term serious side effects were documented.


CONCLUSIONS
90Sr irradiation of pterygium after surgery represents a safe and effective treatment option to prevent disease recurrence. The data obtained in this study indicate that a certain interval after surgery might improve therapy outcome.
Isohashi
Fumiaki
F
Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. isohashi@radonc.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Inoue
Takehiro
T
Xing
Shuo
S
Eren
Cetin Bekir
CB
Ozeki
Shuji
S
Inoue
Toshihiko
T
D000328:Adult; D001610:Beta Particles; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011625:Pterygium / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes