Malignant melanomas of the choroid and ruthenium applicators

Fourty patients with a malignant melanoma of the choroid were treated with ruthenium applicators. Depending on the height of the tumour, the patients were divided into 3 groups. In the first group with a tumour height superior to 6 mm the results were poor as well from a functional point of view as considering tumour regression. In a second group with a tumour height between 5 and 6 mm the results were favourable concerning tumour regression, but only in 50% of the cases did the eye remain functional. The results in the third group with a tumour height between 2 and 5 mm were satisfactory. Tumour regression was obtained in 96% of the eyes; 86% of the eyes remained functional. Tumour related death (7.5%) was not correlated with initial height of the tumour at the time of diagnosis.