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Calcification in choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy
1Ocular Oncology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Sihhiye TR-06100 Ankara, Turkey. Hayyamk@ttnet.net.tr
Purpose:
To report the response of calcification in choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy.
Methods:
Interventional case report. A 66-year-old male with a posterior uveal melanoma measuring 10 x 8 x 4.4 mm underwent infrared diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy three times, each 12 weeks apart. For each treatment, a 3-mm spot size of 1-minute duration was used, and the power setting varied between 450 mW and 500 mW.
Results:
Two months after the last transpupillary thermotherapy session, A- and B-mode echographic patterns strongly suggestive of intratumor calcification were observed. The tumor regressed to 2.8 mm in thickness, but calcification persisted. Local recurrence or distant metastasis was not detected during a follow-up of 14 months.
Conclusion:
Clinically detectable calcification is extremely rare in choroidal melanomas. Tumor regression with slowly progressive calcification may occur after transpupillary thermotherapy.