Does choroidal melanoma regression correlate with chromosome 3 loss after ruthenium brachytherapy?. Issue 7 (11th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chiam, Patrick J T; Coupland, Sarah E; Kalirai, Helen; Groenewald, Carl; Heimann, Heinrich; Damato, Bertil E
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 98:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 967
• Page End: 971
• Publication Date: 2014-02-11
• Subjects: Choroid -- Eye (Globe); Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2013-304472
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To determine the reduction of choroidal melanoma thickness 6 months after ruthenium 106-brachytherapy according to chromosome 3 status, which correlates strongly with metastatic death. Methods: Transscleral fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed prior to the insertion of a radioactive plaque if the tumour was deemed sufficiently thick and anterior for such a procedure. Transretinal biopsy with a 25-gauge vitreous cutter was performed for thin and posterior tumour within a month of plaque removal. The chromosome 3 status was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridisation from 2002 until 2006, and by either multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and/or microsatellite analysis after this period until the end of the study. The choroidal melanoma dimensions were obtained from outpatient visits. Results: 149 eyes from 149 patients were included. The mean age was 60.8 years. 84 eyes (56.4%) had disomy 3 and 65 eyes (43.6%) monosomy 3. The median pretreatment tumour thickness was 3.0 mm in disomy 3 and 4.1 mm in monosomy 3 tumours (p=0.018). The follow-up duration medians were 6.3 months for disomy 3 and 6.4 months for monosomy 3 tumours (p=0.68). The rates of thickness reduction were 6.7% and 7.0% per month, respectively (p=0.59). Thickness reduction exceeding 50% occurred in 32 (38.1%) disomy 3 and 24 (36.9%) monosomy 3 tumours. Conclusions: The rate of choroidal melanoma regression after ruthenium-106 brachytherapy does not appear to correlate with chromosome 3 loss, suggesting that tumour thickness reduction 6 months after treatment is unlikely to predict survival.