RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Histopathological findings in human choroidal melanomas after transpupillary thermotherapy
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 234
OP 239
DO 10.1136/bjo.81.3.234
VO 81
IS 3
A1 J G Journée-de Korver
A1 J A Oosterhuis
A1 D de Wolff-Rouendaal
A1 H Kemme
YR 1997
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/81/3/234.abstract
AB AIMS The effect of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) on human choroidal melanomas was investigated by means of histopathology. METHODS Before enucleation TTT was performed in 11 eyes with a xenon arc photocoagulator with a red filter or a diode laser at 810 nm. The exposure time was 1 minute; the estimated temperature at the top of the tumour was about 65°C. RESULTS Seven of 11 tumours developed necrosis to a maximum depth of 3.9 mm with a sharp demarcation between the necrotic and the viable part of the tumour. The depth correlated with penetration of heat into the tumour. Scattered small haemorrhages in the transitional zone between the necrotic and the viable part of the tumour were observed in three eyes but large haemorrhages were absent. Ocular media were not affected owing to the low rate of absorption of radiation at 810 nm. TTT did not cause significant scleral damage. Intrascleral tumour cells with a viable appearance were observed in one eye, where the tumour was almost totally necrotic. CONCLUSION Results show that TTT has potential as a conservative therapeutic treatment for choroidal melanomas.