Preliminary results of proton beam irradiation of macular and paramacular melanomas

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 68; no. 7; pp. 479 - 485
• Main Authors: Gragoudas, E S, Goitein, M, Seddon, J, Verhey, L, Munzenrider, J, Urie, M, Suit, H D, Blitzer, P, Johnson, K N, Koehler, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.1984; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Choroid Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Fovea Centralis; Humans; Macula Lutea - radiation effects; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma - radiotherapy; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Protons; Tumors and pseudotumors of the eye, orbit, eyelid, lacrimal apparatus; Visual Acuity; Eye; Macula; Edema; Eye disease; Melanoma; Radiation injury; Visual acuity; Tumor; Proton accelerator; Radiotherapy
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.68.7.479

Proton beam irradiation has been used for the treatment of 60 eyes with choroidal melanomas located 3 mm or less from the fovea. The average follow-up period was 18 months. 86% of the treated lesions showed regression at the time of this analysis, and the 14% that did not were followed up for less than a year. Visual acuity remained the same in 47% of the treated eyes, improved in 20%, and deteriorated in 33%. 58% of the treated eyes had visual acuity of 20/100 or better at the last follow-up examination. Radiation vasculopathy with macular oedema was the most common complication, and it was observed in 22% of the treated eyes. These preliminary observations suggest that proton beam irradiation may be a reasonable alternative to enucleation even for this group of choroidal melanomas, which is considered unfavourable in respect of the preservation of visual function.