[Vasoproliferative tumors of the ocular fundus].

PURPOSE: To establish the differential diagnosis from choroidal melanoma and other malignant tumors.

METHODS

We report 5 patients with vasoproliferative tumors studied in our Hospital since 1993; diagnosis was mainly based on clinic appearance of the lesions. Each patient had undergone indirect ophthalmoscopy and ocular echography.

RESULTS

Three upon five cases (studied before 1995) were treated with brachytherapy with Ir(192) because they were suspected to be choroidal melanomas. Periodical observation and treatment of associated complications was the treatment of choice in two other cases in which these complications determined the final visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

It is important to establish the differential diagnosis between choroidal melanoma and other malignant tumors, as their prognosis and treatment are different.