PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AS PRIMARY TREATMENT FOR SMALL CHOROIDAL MELANOMA.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as primary treatment for small amelanotic choroidal melanoma.

METHODS

Retrospective interventional case series of 12 patients with small choroidal melanoma treated with standard-fluence PDT (83 seconds; 50 J/cm) using verteporfin.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor regression, subretinal fluid resolution, best-corrected visual acuity, and PDT complications.

RESULTS

There were 12 eyes with melanoma, demonstrating amelanotic (10 [83%]) or lightly pigmented (n = 2, 17%) appearance. The mean tumor thickness was 2.7 mm (median, 2.8; range 1.8-3.7 mm). After PDT, mean follow-up was 56 months (median, 53; range, 14-91). Outcomes revealed complete tumor regression after 1 session (n = 3, 25%), 2 sessions (n = 3, 25%), and 3 sessions (n = 2, 17%) of PDT, reduced to mean thickness of 2.1 mm (median, 2.0; range 1.2-3.4 mm). Tumors that failed to regress (n = 4, 33%) were further controlled with transpupillary thermotherapy (n = 1) or plaque brachytherapy (n = 3). Subretinal fluid, present in six eyes, demonstrated resolution (n = 5) or progression (n = 1), and one tumor developed new subretinal fluid after PDT (n = 1). Visual outcome was stable (n = 11 eyes) or improved (n = 1). Photodynamic therapy complications included local retina pigment epithelium atrophy at the site of treatment in 3 (25%) eyes, with no effect on macular or optic nerve function.

CONCLUSION

Primary PDT resulted in complete tumor regression of small amelanotic choroidal melanoma in 67% at mean 5 years, with no major effect on visual acuity.