title: Episcleral plaque brachytherapy using 'BARC I-125 Ocu-Prosta seeds' in the treatment of intraocular tumors: a single-institution experience in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To analyze the results of episcleral plaque brachytherapy using indigenous Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Iodine-125 Ocu-Prosta seeds for the management of intraocular tumors from a single institute.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report our initial experience and learning curve on the use of 'BARC I-125 Ocu-Prosta seeds' for the management of intraocular tumors such as choroidal melanomas, retinoblastomas and vasoproliferative tumors (VPT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 13 eyes of 13 patients who underwent ophthalmic brachytherapy between May 2008 to March 2012. Nine cases had choroidal melanomas; three had retinoblastomas while one case had VPT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For choroidal melanomas the average apical diameter before brachytherapy was 7.6 mm and average largest basal diameter was 12.1 mm, respectively, which reduced to 4.2 mm and 7.7 mm after the procedure at an average follow-up of 24 months (range 10-43 months). Retinoblastoma and VPT also showed good regression after brachytherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plaque radiotherapy using 125 I seeds can be performed under peribulbar anesthesia and provides a viable option for the management of intraocular cancer with minimal invasiveness and surgical complications. Patients in our studies experienced excellent local tumor control. With the availability of indigenous 'BARC I-125 Ocu-Prosta seeds' locally, cost effective ophthalmic brachytherapy can be performed in India.
authors: Department of Pediatric Retina and Ocular Oncology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Avinashi Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Parag K
authors: PK
authors: Shah
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Narendran
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Selvaraj
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Guhan
authors: Sanjay K
authors: SK
authors: Saxena
authors: Ashutosh
authors: A
authors: Dash
authors: Melvin
authors: M
authors: Astrahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes