[10 years' experience with ruthenium 106/rhodium 106 treatment of malignant melanoma of the choroid--report on 264 irradiated tumors].

In 75% of the patients with malignant melanoma of the choroid useful vision can be retained by beta-radiation with ruthenium-106/rhodium. Tumors with a prominence of more than 6 mm should be treated only for very special reasons. There is a statistically proven correlation between the initial tumor volume and the occurrence of residual tissue volume. Histopathological investigations have shown that residuals of the tumor do not permit any conclusions concerning the dignity or vitality of tumor cells. The risk to life is not increased by the conservative procedure, and it may even be reduced.