Purpose: To evaluate the preliminary results of stereotactic radiotherapy in the management of patients with juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma.
Methods & materials: A retrospective, consecutive case series of 28 patients with choroidal melanoma located within 2 mm of the optic nerve who were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, between October 1998 and May 2001.
Results: Median age was 62 years. Median tumor height was 4.6 mm and median maximum tumor diameter was 9.4 mm. The prescribed radiation dose was 70 Gy in five fractions over 10 days and median follow-up was 18.5 months. Posttreatment, 2 patients developed local tumor regrowth and 3 patients developed liver metastases. Actuarial rates of local tumor control, metastases, and survival at 18 months were 96%, 10%, and 94%, respectively. Actuarial rates of radiation-induced neovascular glaucoma, cataract, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy at 18 months were 20%, 29%, 30%, and 37%, respectively. A higher radiation dose to the lens was associated with an increased risk of cataract (p = 0.02).
Conclusions: Stereotactic radiotherapy offers a noninvasive alternative to enucleation and brachytherapy in the management of juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma. However, further efforts are needed to optimize local tumor control and minimize radiation-induced complications.