Long-Term Outcomes in Uveal Melanoma After Ruthenium-106 Brachytherapy

• Published in: Frontiers in oncology Vol. 11; p. 754108
• Main Authors: Cennamo, Gilda, Montorio, Daniela, D' Andrea, Luca, Farella, Antonio, Matano, Elide, Giuliano, Mario, Liuzzi, Raffaele, Breve, Maria Angelica, De Placido, Sabino, Cennamo, Giovanni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 03.01.2022
• Subjects: complications; local recurrence; metastasis; Oncology; ruthenium-106 brachytherapy; survival rate; uveal melanoma; ruthenium-106 brachytherapy; survival rate; local recurrence; complications; metastasis; uveal melanoma
• ISSN: 2234-943X; 2234-943X
• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754108

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results after ruthenium-106 (Ru-106) plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma in terms of tumor control, visual acuity, radiation-related complications, tumor recurrence, metastases, and patients' survival rate during 4 years' follow-up. A total of 355 eyes from 355 patients have been treated with Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma between February 2011 and March 2020. Five patients were lost to follow-up, and then 350 eyes of 350 patients (mean age 58 ± 11 years) were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including echography and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. The mean follow-up was 4 years (3 months to 9 years). After treatment, the mean tumor thickness was reduced to 1.75 ± 0.21 mm. Radiation complications were found in 63% of patients: 38% showed radiation maculopathy, 11% had optic neuropathy, and 14% developed cataracts. Cancer-free survival was 99%, 97%, and 85%, respectively, at 5, 7, and 9 years. Ru-106 plaque brachytherapy represents a reliable treatment of uveal melanoma. This technique is valid and safe with a low rate of ocular complications during a long-term follow-up.