Objective: to analyze ocular survival in eyes with uveal melanoma treated with conservative therapies, in a centre that applies all treatment modalities.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma and treated between September 1990 and April 2007 were included in an historical cohorts study.
Results: 273 patients were included. 193 were treated with conservative treatments (70.69%) and 80 were enucleated as primary treatment. 14 patients were enucleated after conservative treatment (7.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an 88% survival probability of the eye in the first 5 years after conservative treatment and 83% at 10 years.
Conclusions: Conservative treatments for uveal melanoma, especially brachitherapy, are safe and effective in relation to tumor control and rate of secondary effects.