Which types of choroidal melanoma are suitable for such treatment?
Plaque radiotherapy is used to preserve the globe and is the treatment of choice in small and medium size tumour. Large tumour and those with retinal detachment are not suitable. The thickness of the tumour will determine on the type of plaque used. Ruthenium plaque emits beta radiation and is suitable for tumour less than 5 mm in thickness. Iodine plaque emits gamma radiation and is suitable for tumour up to 8 mm in thickness. c. What complication can occur with this form of treatment? Complications include: • loss of visual acuity due to radiation maculopathy resulting from the break-down of blood retina barrier • radiation retinopathy with ischaemia and neovascularization • optic neuropathy • neovascular glaucoma • uveitis • cataract d. What factors are of prognostic importance in choroidal melanoma? The main factors of prognostic importance are: • cell type. Epithelioid cells have poorer prognosis than spindle cell types • tumour size. Larger tumour has poorer prognosis • extrascle
