Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery yields good long-term outcomes for low-volume uveal melanomas without intraocular complications.
We present the outcomes of 35 uveal melanoma patients treated with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery. All cases were previously untreated. During follow-up, regular MRI examinations were used to detect any changes in tumor size and estimate the local long-term tumor control rate. Treatment-related complications were also recorded. During follow-up, systemic dissemination was observed in two patients, one of whom died of metastases. The most frequent complication was retinal detachment (17.1%). Three patients required enucleation. Cumulative 1-year and 3-year local tumor growth control rates were 97% and 83%, respectively. The mean and median times to local tumor progression were 48.0 and 51.7 months, respectively. Gamma knife surgery may be a suitable alternative for the treatment of low-volume uveal tumors without intraocular complications, as the control rate and long-term outcomes compare favorably with those of surgical excision and brachytherapy.
Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Marmara University, PK 53 Maltepe 34853, Istanbul, Turkey.
Zafer Orkun
ZO
Toktas
Atilla
A
Bicer
Gulden
G
Demirci
Halit
H
Pazarli
Ufuk
U
Abacioglu
Selcuk
S
Peker
Turker
T
Kilic
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*