Stereotactic radiotherapy for uveal melanoma: A case report

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy worldwide. Surgical intervention and radiation therapy (RT) are the primary treatment options. Given the complexity and cosmetic discomfort associated with eye enucleation, this method is less frequently used. As a result, RT, including photon therapy, proton therapy and brachytherapy, has become the treatment of choice. Traditionally, plaque brachytherapy has been the most commonly used in clinical practice. However, the question of which type of radiation therapy is the most effective, safe, commonly available and cost-effective remains open. The present study provided a follow-up analysis of a patient with UM who was treated using the image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy (IG-VMAT) technique. A complete response without complications and symptom relief were noted one and a half years after treatment. The present findings suggest that photon external beam radiotherapy using the IG-VMAT technique may offer a viable and safe alternative for the management of UM. This approach potentially sidesteps the complex and morbid aspects of surgical intervention and plaque brachytherapy. Owing to the limited sample size, a more robust understanding of the efficacy and safety of this treatment will require the analysis of additional cases. Further research with a larger cohort is essential to validate these preliminary observations.