Long-term results of proton beam irradiated uveal melanomas

Ophthalmology. 1987 Apr;94(4):349-53. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(87)33456-6.

Abstract

The first 128 consecutive patients with uveal melanomas treated with proton beam irradiation were studied in order to evaluate survival and visual acuity status of patients with relatively long-term follow-up. The median follow-up was 5.4 years, and no patient was lost to follow-up. All tumors showed regression. The most recent visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 35% and 20/100 or better in 58%. Eight eyes were enucleated because of complications. Metastasis developed in 26 patients (20.5%) from 3 months to 7 years after treatment. Results indicate that proton irradiation is quite successful for achieving local control of uveal melanomas. A large proportion of the treated eyes maintained useful vision. Five-year follow-up data indicate that proton irradiation has no deleterious effect on the likelihood of the development of metastasis.

MeSH terms

  • Eye Diseases / etiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glaucoma / etiology
  • Humans
  • Iris Diseases / etiology
  • Macula Lutea / blood supply
  • Macula Lutea / radiation effects
  • Melanoma / complications
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / radiotherapy*
  • Protons
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Uveal Neoplasms / complications
  • Uveal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uveal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Visual Acuity / radiation effects

Substances

  • Protons