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Transvitreal endoresection of posterior uveal melanoma may preserve the eye, vision
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Performing transvitreal endoresection can help preserve both the eye and functional vision in selected patients with posterior uveal melanoma, a study found. "Distant metastasis is an infrequent event in this modality of treatment," the study authors said.
Reza Karkhaneh, MD, and colleagues reviewed outcomes for 20 consecutive patients with medium-sized posterior choroidal melanomas treated with vitrectomy, posterior hyaloid dissection, retinotomy, melanoma removal with a vitrectomy probe, retinal reattachment with perfluorocarbon liquid and silicone oil or gas exchange. They published their results in the September issue of Retina.
Patients averaged 47.1 years of age and were followed for a mean of 89.55 months. Tumor thickness ranged from 5.5 mm to 11 mm, and tumor diameter ranged from 8 mm to 15.7 mm, according to the study.
Visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/40 preoperatively and from no light perception to 20/30 postoperatively. Overall, 15 eyes (75%) were saved, the authors reported.
Two eyes (10%) required enucleation because of severe bleeding during tumor resection. Another three eyes (15%) required enucleation during follow-up — in two cases because of tumor recurrence and in one case because of a painful blind eye.
One patient (5%) died due to metastasis to the liver, according to the study.