[Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for intraocular metastases in choroid]

Uveal metastases are the most common intraocular malignant tumors. Most patients who develop metastatic carcinoma to the choroid are managed by radiation or chemotherapy. Since TTT is an optional treatment for choroidal melanomas and hemangiomas, we ought to determine whether TIT is suitable for treatment of solitary choroidal metastasis at the posterior pole.

To evaluate effectivenes of TTT treatment for intraocular metastases.

45 patients (59 eyes) with intraocular metastases were treated in the Ophthalmological Department of Jagiellonian University in Kraków. There were 30 women and 15 man, at the age 31-84 years (av. 57.5). The primary tumor was a breast cancer in 22 women, lung cancer in 5 men and 2 women, kidney (3), colon (2), uterus (1), larynx (1), testicle (1), esophagus (1). 10 patients had also metastases in other organs. TTT was performed in all treated eyes, in 11 combined with 106Ru brachytherapy (BT). Chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment was performed in 18 patients. The results of treatment were evaluated in mean 14.5 months (1-61) follow-up.

After TTT, tumor shrinking was observed in most treated tumors (in 37 eyes, 62.7%), inhibition of tumor growth in 5 (8.4%), and in 4 cases (6.7%) progression of tumor growth. In 3 cases (5.1%) with flat scar and intraocular tumor shrinking, extrascleral extension located close to the tumor base appeared after treatment (TTT in 2 eyes, TTT combined with BT in one case).

TTT is an effective treatment method for small choroidal metastases located in the posterior pole. TTT combined with 106Ru brachytherapy can be useful treatment in medium sized choroidal metastases. Efficient results encourage further application of thermotherapy in the treatment of intraocular metastases. It allows for the conservative treatment of the eyeball and also useful visual acuity. Extraocular extension appearing after TT needs further study.