Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
[Recurrence rate following adjuvant strontium-90 brachytherapy after excision of conjunctival melanoma]
L Krause1, C Ritter, J Wachtlin
1Augenklinik, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. lothar.krause@charite.de
Background:
Because of the high local recurrence rates after excision of conjunctival melanomas, adjuvant local chemotherapy or irradiation is recommended. Strontium-90 brachytherapy is one radiotherapeutic option due to its low penetration depth.
Methods:
15 patients with conjunctival melanoma were treated with adjuvant strontium-90 brachytherapy after tumour excision. The treatment was fractionated into 9 irradiation sessions with 6 Gy each. The mean follow-up was 35 months (12-60 months).
Results:
Seven patients (46%) had no recurrence during the follow-up. Three patients (20%) had a recurrence in the treated or adjacent area. Eight patients (53%) developed new tumours in non-treated areas.
Conclusions:
Strontium-90 brachytherapy is a useful adjuvant in the treatment of conjunctival melanomas. Regular ophthalmoscopic controls are necessary because of the high rate of new tumours in non-irradiated areas, especially in cases with primary acquired melanosis.
