Episcleral plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma.

The use of radioactive Iodine, Ruthenium, Iridium and Cobalt plaques of varying dimensions to treat choroidal and ciliochoroidal melanomas is discussed and placed in perspective with other treatment modalities. The regression pattern following plaque treatment appears to be more rapid for tumours that are more poorly differentiated. The visual results following plaque brachytherapy compare very favourably with those following local resection and external beam radiation. Ocular complications are significantly greater for tumours whose initial thickness exceeds 8 mm. The survival rater after plaque treatment is compared with that for patients who have had primary enucleation for equivalent-sized tumours.