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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Bilateral primary choroidal melanoma treated with bilateral plaque radiotherapy: a report of three cases
M Furuta1, C L Shields, L Shields
1Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. carol.shields@shieldsoncology.com
Purpose:
To report three cases of bilateral primary choroidal melanoma treated with bilateral plaque radiotherapy.
Methods:
Retrospective, single-center case series.
Results:
Case 1: In 1981, a 50-year-old man was diagnosed with a 5-mm-thick choroidal melanoma in the right eye (OD) and treated with plaque radiotherapy. In 1994, a 6.8-mm-thick choroidal melanoma in the left eye (OS) was treated with plaque radiotherapy. Final visual acuity was light perception OD and 20/20 OS at 24 years follow-up. Case 2: In 1983, a 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with a 3.5-mm-thick choroidal melanoma OS and treated with plaque radiotherapy. In 2001, an enlarging 2.5-mm-thick choroidal melanoma OD was treated with plaque radiotherapy. Final visual acuity was 20/30 OD and 20/20 OS at 22 years follow-up. Case 3: In 2001, a 92-year-old man was diagnosed with a 7.9-mm-thick choroidal melanoma OD treated with plaque radiotherapy. In 2003, an enlarging 2.8-mm-thick juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma was treated with plaque radiotherapy. Final visual acuity was 20/70 OD and 20/60 OS at 2.5 years follow-up. No patient showed ocular melanocytosis. Stable tumor regression was achieved in all six eyes. Metastatic disease did not develop in any case over 16 years of follow-up.
Conclusions:
Monitoring of both eyes of patients with uveal melanoma is important for the remote possibility of melanoma in the second eye. In these three patients, plaque radiotherapy allowed for preservation of the globes and some vision.
