Article
5-year follow-up after treatment with gamma knife in uveal melanoma
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Uveal melanoma with a maximal apical tumor height over 6 mm, a maximal basal diameter over 19 mm or with a peripapillary location are not suitable for treatment with Ru-106 brachytherapy. In addition to enucleation a treatment with gamma-knife is accessable in Munich for these patients since 1997. This study describes the 1-, 3-, and 5- year follow-up results according to local tumor control, and secundary enucleation rate.
Methods
In total, 116 patients (60 female, 56 male) were examined. The mean age at date of diagnosis was 60.5 years. 27 patients (23%) fullfilled a 5 year follow-up, 67 paptients (58%) a 3 year follow-up and 116 Patient a 1 year follow-up.
Results
Local tumor control was achieved in 114 of 116 patients (98%). Due to failure of local tumor control 2 eyes (2%) were removed. Another 7 eyes (6%) were enucleated because of secondary glaucoma, 6 within the first two years after radiation,only one eye after three years.
Conclusions
In conclusion radiation with gamma-knife can be performed in one sesssion in patients with uveal melanoma. It offers a high level of local tumor control. Secondary glaucoma leading to enucleation is seen only within the first three years after treatment.