title: Ruthenium-106 eye plaque brachytherapy in the conservative treatment of uveal melanoma: a mono-institutional experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional treatment for uveal melanoma is the enucleation of the eye with outcomes cosmetically unacceptable and loss of useful vision. Plaque brachytherapy, compared to enucleation, had the advantage to preserve the eye with outcomes cosmetically acceptable and preservation of vision.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 1990 to December 2009 one hundred forty-two (142) patients (51 males and 91 females) with small to medium uveal melanoma were treated with 106Ru plaque brachytherapy. The patients underwent a complete staging before brachytherapy with indirect ophthalmoscopy and ultrasounds. Mean tumour thickness was 3.26 mm (1.6-6 mm). The dose scheduled was 80-100 Gy to the apex with a maximum dose of 800 Gy to the sclera.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty-two have been treated, nine patients had lost the follow-up and drop out; 133 patients were assessed. Mean follow-up was 7.7 years (6 months-18 years). The overall survival at 5, 10 and 15 years was 92%, 85% and 78% respectively. Cancer fee survival was 95%, 90% and 83%, respectively at 5, 10 and 15 year. Radiation-induced toxicity was represented in 47 patients with a 5 year actuarial survival rate free from complications of 54%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  106Ru plaque brachytherapy is a valid approach for treatment of uveal melanoma. This technique is efficacy and safe, with a low toxicity profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Ferrara, Italy. paolo.perri@unife.it.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorica
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parmeggiani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carpenteri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micucci
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perazzini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Gugliemo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cartei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000528:radiation effects; D055815:Young Adult; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
chemical_list: D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes