title: [Long-term follow-up 10 years after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for small, posterior located malignant melanomas of the choroid].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for small malignant choroidal melanomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the time period 1/1998 to 10/1999 in a prospective non-randomised analysis 26 eyes with small malignant melanomas (located posterior to the equator with base ≤ 12 and thickness ≤ 4.5 mm) were primary treated with the TTT standard protocol (follow-up over a time span of at least 10 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen women and thirteen men (mean age: 64 years) underwent TTT. The mean preoperative tumour thickness was 2.45 mm (0.8 - 4.5 mm). Ten years postoperatively tumour regression without recurrence after 1.4 treatment sessions (mean) was achieved in 16 / 26 eyes, primary regression followed by tumour regrowth in 6 / 26 eyes, and primary failure of tumour regression in 4 / 26 eyes. Two patients died on liver metastasis. Ocular complications (with preference in posterior tumours after multiple TTT sessions) were observed in 14 eyes: macular pucker in 8, macular oedema in 6, choroidal neovascularisation in 4 and posterior synechia with iris atrophy in one eye.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Choroidal melanomas treated with TTT as a stand-alone procedure need a close monitoring since these tumours developed a significant rate of local recurrences and ocular side-effects in the long run.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik der Universitätsmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz. bernhard.stoffelns@unimedizin-mainz.de
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stoffelns
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schoepfer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vetter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirshahi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elflein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult