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Studies compare different approaches to uveal melanoma

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Three recently published studies review the effectiveness of several methods of treating uveal melanoma.

One study found that plaque radiotherapy or brachytherapy helped prevent or delay removal of eyes with uveal tumors but resulted in a high incidence of side effects such as cataracts (66%). At 10 years, side effects included tumor recurrence (13%) and the spread of cancer to other organs (55%).

A second study found that transscleral tumor resection resulted in most patients (61%) retaining visual acuity, in contrast with those treated with brachytherapy (5.6%). Patients treated with transscleral tumor resection also had a lower incidence of secondary glaucoma.

A third study compared iodine plaque radiotherapy with charged-particle therapy and found that over time, the incidence of tumor recurrence was greater in eyes treated with plaque radiotherapy. The 10-year incidence of tumor recurrence after radiotherapy was 16%. With charged-particle therapy the incidence was 5%.

All three studies are published in the October issue of Ophthalmology.