title: Brachytherapy of Uveal Melanomas with Ruthenium-106 Plaques
abstract: Background: Brachytherapy is the most commonly used conservative treatment for the uveal melanoma. The
  aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic results of Ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy in the management of
  localized uveal melanoma cases. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records of all patients treated
  in our department for an uveal melanoma, undergoing Ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy, from January 1996 to
  December 2015. We focused on clinical features, therapeutic characteristics, local and distant tumor control and side
  effects. Results: Nineteen patients were enrolled in our study. Mean age was 56.2 years (28-79) and the sex ratio was
  1.37:1 males to females. Diagnosis was made on the basis of ophthalmological clinical examination, angiography,
  ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance. Median tumor diameter was 9.7 mm (6-13) and median thickness 4.4 mm (2.5-
  8). The dose of Ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy prescribed to the apex of each tumor was 70 Gy in all cases. The
  median radiation dose to the sclera surface was 226.4 Gy (range: 179.6–342.3) and the median total application time
  115.2 hours (range: 27 to 237). After a median follow-up of 61.5 months, local control was achieved in 17 patients
  (89%): 16 demonstrated a partial tumor response and 1 tumor stabilization. Two patients suffered local progression
  leading to enucleation, one dying of hepatic metastasis. Radiation-induced complications were cataracts in 3 cases
  and vitreal hemorrhage in 2. Conclusion: Ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy is an efficient treatment for localized
  uveal melanoma, offering good local control with low toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Radiation oncology department, Salah Azaiez Institute, Tunis, Tunisia. Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunis–el Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia. Email: asma.belaid@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belaïd
authors.forename: Chiraz
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jmour
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cherif
authors.forename: Lotfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kochbati
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouguila
authors.forename: Mounir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Besbes
authors.forename: Farouk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benna
keywords: Melanoma; uvea; ruthenium; plaque; brachytherapy