[Transpupillary thermotherapy in the treatment of recurrent and residual choroidal melanomas: preliminary results].

Thirty-eight patients (16 males and 22 females) with recurrent and residual choroidal melanomas who had undergone brachytherapy were followed up. The indication for transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was an active residual tumor (36 patients) and recurrent melanoma (2 patients). The follow-up interval between brachytherapy and TTT was 10 to 127 months. TTT using a diode laser was performed on a Nidek DC 3300 device at a wavelength of 810 nm. The mean tumor prominence prior to TTT was 1.9 mm (range 1 to 3.5 mm), its mean diameter was 8.6 mm (range 4-14.5 mm). Twenty patients were observed over time. The follow-up time after TTT was 3 to 15 months. After the first session of TTT, a positive effect was observed in 15 patients. In 9 patients, the effect was inadequate, which required additional sessions of TTT. Among the early TTT complications, there were superficial petechial hemorrhages, macular edema, exudative retinal detachment above the tumor. Treatment resulted in no complications in 18 patients. Late metastases were seen in none patients. Our investigations have indicated that TTT is a highly effective treatment for recurrent and residual uveal melanomas, which provides complete tumor resorption in 29% of the patients.