skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8852

Proton beam radiotherapy in the management of uveal melanoma: Clinical experience in Scotland

Original Research

(1979) Views  (524) Full article downloads

Authors: Samir Aziz, Alex Taylor, Andrzej McConnachie, Alex Kacperek, Ewan Kemp

Published Date August 2008 Volume 2009:3 Pages 49 - 55
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S3555

Samir Aziz1, Alex Taylor1, Andrzej McConnachie3, Alex Kacperek2, Ewan Kemp1

1Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK; 2Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, Wirral, England, UK; 3Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Aim: To evaluate proton-beam radiotherapy (PBRT) in the management of uveal melanoma in Scotland.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken on all patients receiving PBRT for uveal melanoma (1994–2005). Data obtained included: gender, past ocular/medical history, age, presenting complaint(s), diagnosis, laterality, tumor location/ultrasound characteristics, visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure. At post-treatment reviews (3, 6, 12, and 24 months), the following data was obtained: VA, intraocular pressure, tumor appearance and ultrasound characteristics. Mean follow up was 38.8 months.

Results: Seventy-six patients were included. Mean age was 64 years; male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Ninety-seven percent demonstrated initial treatment response; 87% had successful control of tumor growth. Mean pre-treatment tumor height was 6.2 mm v.s. 4.8 mm post-irradiation (p < 0.001). Pre-irradiation VA was <3/60 in 18.5% compared with 74% post-irradiation (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant association between adverse events (enucleation, metastasis) and greater maximal basal tumor diameter. Eighteen eyes were enucleated. The median survival time was estimated to be 54 months.

Conclusion: In our experience, PBRT is a precise, reliable and effective treatment in the management of large, and previously treated uveal melanomas. It prevents enucleation in the majority at short term follow-up.

Keywords: proton-beam radiotherapy, uveal melanoma, visual acuity, enucleation, tumor








Readers of this article also read:

Choroidal neovascularization in patient undergoing growth hormone treatment
Does titration of mitomycin C as an adjunct to trabeculectomy significantly influence the intraocular pressure outcome?
The role of inflammation and antiinflammation therapies in keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Correlation of central corneal thickness and axial length to the optic disc and peripapillary atrophy among healthy individuals, glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients
Clinical efficacy and neuroprotective effects of brimonidine in the management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Role of aliskiren in cardio-renal protection and use in hypertensives with multiple risk factors
Bevacizumab (Avastin®) for the management of anterior chamber neovascularization and neovascular glaucoma
Efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination of brinzolamide 1% and timolol 0.5% in daily practice
The relationship between deliberate self-harm behavior, body dissatisfaction, and suicide in adolescents: current concepts
Cumulative clinical experience from over a decade of use of levofloxacin in community-acquired pneumonia: critical appraisal and role in therapy