Effect of various doses of radiation for uveal melanoma on regression, visual acuity, complications, and survival.

We reviewed 284 choroidal and ciliary body melanomas treated with 50, 60, 70, or 80 gray equivalents (GyE) of helium ion radiation. Multivariate methods of data analysis were used to adjust for differences between dose groups with respect to the characteristics of patients (and their tumors). Radiation dose level did not affect survival, complications, visual outcome, or tumor regression in this model. The minimum radiation dose necessary to achieve tumor control with charged particles may be less than 50 GyE.