Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Measure changes in height of choroidal melanomas treated with TTT after 125 Iodine brachytherapy. Methods: Serial standardized A–scan echography of 18 choroidal melanoma (11 females,7 males, Age 27–78yo, Av. 59.5) patients followed for 413–1266 days. TTT was delivered with the 810nm Iridex Diode laser using slit lamp delivery with 3mm spot size at power levels of 450–1250 mW for 301–843 seconds (mean 561 seconds) after a retrobulbar block.16/18 patients received one TTT session; 2/18 received two sessions. Results: .18/18 patients demonstrated axial shrinkage after TTT. Initial heights were 2.03–4.16mm. (mean 2.86mm). Final heights were .00–3.14mm (mean 1.12mm). Overall mean reduction in height was 1.47mm (=58.6% reduction). 9/18 had >50% reduction. 6/18 became flat. Greatest reduction in height was obtained when greater TTT energy was used. Initial height did not correlate with percent of shrinkage after TTT. In all patients with measurable tumor, shrinkage continued for years after TTT. No patient has developed orbital disease or distant metastasis. Conclusions: TTT after 125I Brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma is associated with universal reduction in height which appears faster than with brachytherapy alone.One third of treated tumors were reduced to a flat scar. Shrinkage continues years after TTT/brachytherapy.
Keywords: melanoma • choroid • tumors