[Treatment of malignant melanomas of the uvea with 106-ruthenium applicators. Report on the first 100 Essen cases]

The results of treatment of the first 100 patients with uveal melanomas treated with 106-Ruthenium applicators in Essen are presented. The mean follow-up period was 2 years; 80 of the patients presented with choroidal melanomas and 20 with melanomas of the ciliary body. Five of the 100 patients had metastatic disease originating from the primary uveal melanoma. Compared to 60-cobalt therapy, therapeutic results are similar in terms of tumor regression, but the incidence of complications was significantly lower. In 16 patients the eye with the tumor had to be removed, because of tumor growth (12), neovascular glaucoma (3), and vitreous hemorrhage (1). Visual acuity did not decrease in 20% of the cases treated. In the light of our results 106-Ruthenium therapy seems to be a reliable method of tumor treatment in tumors with a maximum prominence not exceeding 8 mm.