Visual outcome, local tumour control, and eye preservation after 106Ru/Rh brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma

To study the visual outcome, local tumour control, and eye preservation 5 years after ruthenium/rhodium 106 brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma. The study included 55 consecutive patients treated by 106Ru/Rh brachytherapy for a choroidal melanoma during the period 1988-2000 and followed through 2004. The 5-year probability for not losing at least 5 Snellen lines was 59% (n = 45), for retaining a visual acuity of 0.33 or better was 28% (n = 34), and for retaining better than 0.1 was 40% (n = 45). The 5-year probability for no local recurrence was 73% and for eye preservation 72% (n = 55). 106Ru/Rh brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma resulted in a clinically significant vision loss, no local recurrence, and eye preservation in most patients after 5 years. 106Ru/Rh brachytherapy can be regarded as a good treatment option for small and medium-sized tumours but not for large tumours.