Article
Retrospective analysis to evaluate risk factors for radiation retinopathy in patients received proton beam radiation as a treatment for choroidal melanoma
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Published: | September 21, 2010 |
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Introduction: Radiation retinopathy, a complication of choroidal melanoma radiation, compromise the visual acuity two to three years after therapy and may lead in severe cases to rubeosis and neovascular glaucoma. Aim of this retrospective study, is to evaluate risk factors for developing radiation retinopathy.
Methods: Data for this retrospective study were obtained from the register of the BerlinProtonen, centre for eye tumors (http://www.berlinprotonen.de/) at Charité in Berlin. Analysis of data were done by Gaussian and Non-Gaussian statistical tests. Patients were classified in no radiation retinopathy or radiation retinopathy. Category radiation retinopathy included patients with a radiation retinopathy stadium I to IV according to the classification of Paul T Finger (New York/ USA). Results were rechecked for statistical significance in cooperation with the department for medical statistics at Charité in Berlin.
Results: Data of 584 patients have been registered from 1998 to 2005. 563 patients developed at least a mild form of radiation retinopathy. Statistical analysis demonstrate a significant higher age, total dose of radiation and fovea dose of radiation. No significant differences were seen for gender, papillary dose and ciliary body dose.
Conclusion: Results for proton beam radiation are conforming findings in ophthalmic plaque therapy. Patients with risk factors for radiation retinopathy like age, total dose und fovea dose should visit an ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Standard therapies have to be established and differences between laser therapy and intravitreal therapy have to be evaluated.