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Br J Ophthalmol 1985;69:177-179 doi:10.1136/bjo.69.3.177
  • Research Article

Pre-enucleation irradiation of uveal melanoma.

  1. D. H. Char and
  2. T. L. Phillips

      Abstract

      The relative efficacy of various types of treatment in preventing metastatic uveal melanoma is unclear. We have performed a phase I-II non-randomised trial to determine if patients with large (greater than 15 mm in diameter or greater than 5 mm in thickness) uveal melanomas would benefit from pre-enucleation irradiation. Twenty-eight patients were treated between 1978 and 1983 by means of 5 X 5 cm anterior wedge pair ports on a 4 me V linear accelerator. Each patient received five 4 gray (400 rad) fractions over a five-day period for a total of 20 Gy. Enucleation was performed by a single surgeon within five days after treatment. The mean follow-up of the patients was 24 months (range 7-54 months). All melanomas were histologically confirmed. Four patients (14%) have developed metastatic tumour with a mean interval between diagnosis and death of 25 months. No significant perioperative or long-term morbidity was observed.

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