Possible effects of radiobiological parameters on metastatic spread of uveal melanomas treated with 106Ru plaques

We reviewed 184 cases of uveal melanoma treated with 106Ru eye plaques. The influences of the dose rate, the total dose and the initial tumour size on the incidence of metastases were of major interest in this retrospective analysis. It is widely accepted that the risk of metastatic spread increases with increasing tumour volume. However, for tumours measuring < 10 mm in basal diameter the dose rate in brachytherapy with 106Ru eye plaques might be important, since we observed a better prognosis for patients treated with plaques of relatively low activity.