title: Regression rate of posterior uveal melanomas following iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the regression rate of posterior uveal melanoma following radioactive iodine-125 (I-125) plaque.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 95 patients with posterior uveal melanoma who were treated with only radioactive I-125 plaque and had more than 3 years follow-up. All patients were treated with plaque radiotherapy using tumor dose of 85 Gy at the tumor apex, following COMS protocol. Regression rate was assessed with standardized A-scan ultrasonography. Associations with tumor regression were evaluated by means of mixed linear regression modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean decrease in the tumor thickness (% original thickness) at 12, 24, and 36 months after radiotherapy for melanomas < 3 mm in thickness was 29%, 38%, and 45%, for melanoma 3-8 mm in thickness was 32%, 44%, and 59%, and for melanoma more than 8 mm in thickness was 52%, 62%, and 68%, respectively. With a doubling of follow-up time (0.5-1 year, or 1-2 years of follow-up from treatment), tumors < 3 mm in thickness at treatment showed a 0.5 mm decrease in tumor thickness, whereas melanomas 3-8 mm showed a 1 mm decrease, and melanomas >8 mm showed a 1.7 mm decrease. Uveal melanomas that developed systemic metastasis showed an additional 0.4 mm decrease with a doubling of follow-up time from treatment, compared with those that did not develop metastasis (P = 0.050).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Posterior uveal melanomas with higher initial thickness show steeper and more reduction in tumor thickness following radioactive I-125 plaque. After the initial phases, the regression curve became similar for tumors with different thicknesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saponara
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Niziol
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Choonik
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comer
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Michigan, USA ; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Musch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes
keywords: Plaque Radiotherapy; Tumor Regression; Uveal Melanoma