Transpupillary thermotherapy in the treatment of choroidal metastasis from breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Most patients who develop metastatic carcinoma to the choroid are managed by local radiation or chemotherapy. Since transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) is currently gaining attention as an optional treatment for choroidal melanomas and hemangiomas, we sought to determine whether TTT is suitable for treatment of solitary choroidal metastasis at the posterior pole.

METHOD

We report on a patient with decreased vision due to a serous macular detachment in a eye with a solitary choroidal metastasis from breast carcinoma, who was managed by TTT.

RESULTS

After two months of follow up, total re-absorption of the serous macular detachment was achieved and the patient recovered full visual acuity in the treated eye. The choroidal mass became atrophic and hyperpigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium and retinal folds in the macular region were observed. After six months of TTT, the ocular picture remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

TTT can be considered an acceptable therapeutic option for solitary choroidal metastasis associated with serous retinal detachment.