Planned combined I-125 plaque irradiation and indirect ophthalmoscope laser therapy for choroidal malignant melanoma.

We studied the short-term impact of planned sequential episcleral I-125 plaque irradiation and indirect ophthalmoscope laser therapy in a series of 25 patients with choroidal or ciliochoroidal malignant melanoma. In a case-by-case matched comparison study, we evaluated the relative local regression of tumors which did and did not receive planned supplemental laser therapy following plaque treatment. The tumors treated with supplemental laser regressed substantially faster and more completely than those treated by plaque alone. Planned sequential I-125 plaque irradiation combined with indirect ophthalmoscope laser therapy appears to be a more effective local-tumor treatment than plaque radiotherapy alone.