A comparison between125Iodine brachytherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy in the management of juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma

Radiotherapy in Uveal Melanoma: A Review of Ocular Complications

Uveal melanoma represents the most prevalent form of primary malignant intraocular tumor in adults. Historically, enucleation was considered the gold-standard approach in the treatment of uveal melanoma. Currently, radiotherapy is the most commonly used therapy, aiming at a better quality of life. However, radiotherapy can result in several ocular complications, some of which may be vision-threatening. Radiation-induced dry eye, scleral necrosis, cataract, rubeosis iridis, neovascular glaucoma, radiation retinopathy, maculopathy, and optic neuropathy are the most common complications. This article aims to summarize the current literature regarding the ocular complications after radiotherapy, as well as their clinical features, risk factors, and management strategies. A thorough understanding of these issues is crucial for ophthalmologists and oncologists to provide optimal patient care, improve visual outcomes, and minimize long-term complications.

Every other day stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma decreases toxicity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To report the long-term results of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/FSRT) in patients with uveal melanoma (UM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the results of patients treated between 2007 and 2019. The primary endpoints were local control (LC), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), enucleation-free survival (EFS) and treatment toxicity.

RESULTS

443 patients with 445 UMs were treated via CyberKnife®. According to the COMS classification, 70% of the tumors were small/medium and 30% were large. Median total RT dose was 54 Gy, median BED10 was 151 Gy. After a median 74-months follow-up, SRS/FSRT yielded an 83% overall LC rate. The 5- and 10-year LRFS rate was 74% and 56%, respectively. Patient age and the COMS size were prognostic for all survival endpoints. An increased SRS/FSRT dose was associated with higher LRFS and EFS rates. SRS/FSRT-related toxicity was observed in 49% of the eyes. Median visual acuity (VA) significantly deteriorated after SRS/FSRT in 76% of the treated eyes. The overall eye preservation rate was 62%, and the 5- and 10-year EFS rate was 64% and 36%, respectively. The delivery of FSRT every other day resulted in a significantly lower rate of toxicity and enucleation compared to FSRT on consecutive days.

CONCLUSION

A total dose of ≥45 Gy and BED_10Gy ≥ 112.5 SRS/FSRT is associated with a higher LC rate in patients with UM. Despite the favorable outcomes, treatment toxicity is the major limitation of this treatment. Toxicity and enucleation can be minimized by treating the eye every other day.

Predictive factors of radio-induced complications in 194 eyes undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To report the factors predictive of radio-induced complications (i.e. radiation retinopathy [RR], radiation papillopathy [RP] and neovascular glaucoma [NVG]) in uveal melanoma (UM) patients undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Longitudinal cohort study on patients with UM treated at the Ocular Oncology Service, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, between June 1994 and November 2018. Data were retrospectively reviewed. Rates of GKR-related complications were reported. Variables associated with each complication were investigated using multivariable Cox models and confirmed by logistic regression analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported for significant associations.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-four patients (99 males, 51%) were included, and 184 tumours were primarily located in the choroid (95%). Median follow-up was 57 months (range 6-286). Local control was achieved in 182 eyes (94%), and 152 eyes (78%) experienced at least one radiation-induced complication. Radiation retinopathy was documented in 67 eyes (35%) after a median of 23 months. Older age (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99, p = 0.02) had a protective effect for RR. Radiation papillopathy was diagnosed in 35 eyes (18%) after a median of 14 months after GKR. Macular or peripapillary location (HR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.52-6.16, p = 0.002) was associated with increased risk of RP, while older age was protective (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93-0.98, p = 0.001). New-onset NVG was found in 53 eyes (27%), and median onset was 28 months. Tumour thickness (HR = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.23-8.72, p < 0.001) and peripapillary location (HR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.46-5.27, p = 0.002) were the main risk factors associated with NVG.

CONCLUSION

Understanding factors predictive for radiation-related complications in patients undergoing GKR might help for better counselling and treatment planning.

Dosimetric comparison and secondary malignancy risk estimation for linac-based and robotic stereotactic radiotherapy in uveal melanoma

It was aimed to investigate the dosimetric differences among linac-based and robotic stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) techniques for the treatment of uveal melanoma and to evaluate secondary malignancy risks for these different SRT techniques. Ten patients who received robotic SRT with CyberKnife were retrospectively included in this study. A total dose of 54 Gy in three fractions was prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV). For each patient, non-coplanar micro-multileaf collimator based dynamic conformal arc (DCA), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and circular cone based DCA (cDCA) plans were generated. During the analysis dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters, homogeneity index, new conformity index, the volume received more than or equal to 30% and 50% of the prescribed dose were compared. Additionally, secondary malignancy risk for each technique was estimated using the risk factors recommended by The International Commission on Radiological Protection. Robotic SRT plans provided a high degree of conformity within the PTV and better normal tissue sparing compared to linac-based treatment plans. However, dose distribution was more heterogeneous in robotic SRT plans than that in linac-based techniques. Estimated secondary malignancy risk was also found as 3.4%, 1.4%, 1.4% and 1.6% for robotic SRT and linac-based IMRT, DCA, cDCA plans, respectively. Treatment parameters of uveal melanoma patients planned with robotic SRT had superior conformity and organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing compared with those planned with the linac-based system. However, estimated secondary malignancy risk was almost two-times higher in robotic SRT than that in linac-based techniques.

Aflibercept for Radiation Maculopathy (ARM Study): Year-2 Extension of a Prospective Clinical Study

Purpose:

This work describes the 2-year results of the Aflibercept for Radiation Maculopathy (ARM) randomized clinical study that evaluated intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist therapy in radiation maculopathy delivering aflibercept using a second-year collapsed, every-6-weeks, treat-and-adjust interval.

Methods:

Forty patients were enrolled in an institutional review board–approved clinical trial and randomly assigned to aflibercept treatment via 1 of 2 regimens: fixed, every-6-week treatment or variable, treat-and-adjust therapy centered around 6 weeks. All patients had a diagnosis of treated uveal melanoma with documented tumor control, and they had visually compromising radiation maculopathy. At conclusion of year 1, the first 30 patients were offered a collapsed single-arm variable of an every-6-weeks treat-and-adjust aflibercept injection schedule for an additional treatment year.

Results:

Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/63 at ARM study entry 20/62 at the institution of the year-2 extension. At ARM study entry baseline, spectral domain–optical coherence tomography mean central retinal thickness was 432 µm and was 294 µm at the same institution. At the 2-year study’s conclusion, 76.7% (23 of 30) of eyes were better than 20/50, and only 6.7% (2 of 30) ended with a BCVA below 20/200. Final mean BCVA was 20/62 and final mean spectral domain–optical coherence tomography central retinal thickness was 286 µm, but as in year 1, this reduction in number of injections was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Aflibercept is effective in treating radiation maculopathy with maintained visual acuity at 2 years but continues to require an ongoing treatment approach to stabilize radiation maculopathy.

Hypofractionated stereotactic photon radiotherapy of choroidal melanoma: 20-year experience

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the long-term results after hypofractionated stereotactic photon radiotherapy (SRT) in patients with choroidal melanoma treated between 1997 and 2016.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 335 patients (183 male and 152 female) with choroidal melanoma unsuitable for ruthenium-106 brachytherapy or local resection were treated with linear accelerator-based SRT at the Medical University of Vienna. All patients received five fractions with either 10, 12 or 14 Gy per fraction. A complete ophthalmic examination including visual acuity and measurement of the tumor base and height using standardized A- and B-scan ultrasonography was performed every 3 months in the first 2 years, every 6 months until 5 years and yearly thereafter. Early and late adverse side effects were assessed at every follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The median overall follow-up was 78.6 months (39.1 to 113.7 months). Local tumor control was 95.4% after 10 and 12 years, respectively. Fifty-four patients developed metastatic disease, and 31 died during the follow-up. Mean visual acuity decreased from 0.55 Snellen at baseline to 0.05 Snellen at the last individual follow-up. Ischemic retinopathy (192/335cases) and optic neuropathy (174/335cases) were the most common radiogenic side effects, followed by radiogenic cataract (n = 127), neovascular glaucoma (n = 71) and corneal epithelium defects (n = 49). Enucleation was performed in 54 patients mostly due to neovascular glaucoma (n = 41) or tumor recurrence (n = 10) during the study period. The eye retention rate was 79.7% after 10 and 12 years.

CONCLUSION

Hypofractionated stereotactic photon radiotherapy showed a high rate of local tumor control for choroidal melanoma and an acceptable rate of radiogenic side effects.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gamma knife radiosurgery is regarded as the gold-standard stereotactic radiosurgery modality for the treatment of intracranial tumours, and its use has been expanded for the treatment of intraocular malignancies. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy, outcomes, and complications of gamma knife radiosurgery for uveal melanomas and metastases.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to aggregate the clinical outcomes of patients with uveal melanomas or intraocular metastases treated primarily with gamma knife radiosurgery. We searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies published between Sept 1, 1960, and Feb 1, 2020, reporting the use of gamma knife radiosurgery as primary treatment for uveal melanoma or uveal metastases. The search was restricted to clinical studies and relevant grey literature published in English. Studies reporting treatment of benign tumours, extraocular tumours, or other forms of stereotactic radiosurgery were excluded to reduce heterogeneity. No restrictions were placed on participant criteria. Local tumour control and tumour regression were extracted as the primary outcomes and analysed via a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions using the DerSimonian and Laird method with a Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019148165.

FINDINGS

Our search returned 454 studies, of which 109 were assessed for full-text eligibility. 52 studies, reporting on 1010 patients with uveal melanoma and 34 intraocular metastases, were eligible for systematic review. 28 studies were included in the meta-analysis. 840 of 898 patients (0·96, 95% CI 0·94-0·97; I²=16%) from 19 studies had local control, and 378 of 478 patients (0·81, 0·70-0·90; I²=83%) from 16 studies experienced tumour regression.

INTERPRETATION

Gamma knife radiosurgery is an efficacious primary method of treating uveal melanomas and intraocular metastases, with reliable tumour control rates. Randomised controlled trials should further evaluate the safety and efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery in this setting.

FUNDING

The Rhodes Trust and the Howard Brain Sciences Foundation.

Primary Episcleral Melanoma Consistent with Uveal Melanoma Mutations Treated by Excision and Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Ocular melanocytosis has traditionally been associated with increased risk of developing uveal melanoma; however, rarely primary episcleral melanoma has been reported in the literature. Herein, we present the third case of primary episcleral melanoma treated by complete excision and cryotherapy. In contrast to previous cases, we obtained molecular genetic testing which revealed a GNA-11 mutation, and gene expression profiling resulted in a Class 2 PRAME positive tumor diagnosis. These two tests which have never been performed on previous cases, support lineage similar to uveal melanoma. In addition, we are the first case to report treatment of the surgical bed and surrounding orbital tissue with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiotherapy to both treat residual tissue and decrease risk of recurrence.

Aflibercept for Radiation Maculopathy Study: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate 2 treatment approaches to intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist therapy in radiation maculopathy comparing aflibercept delivered by either a 6-week treatment interval or treat-and-adjust interval.

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective clinical trial.

METHODS

Forty consecutive patients were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved clinical trial and randomized to aflibercept treatment via 1 of 2 regimens: (1) fixed, every-6-weeks treatment or (2) variable, treat-and-adjust treatment centered around 6 weeks. All patients had a diagnosis of treated uveal melanoma with documented tumor control. All patients showed visually compromising radiation maculopathy confirmed by a decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain (SD) OCT documentation of radiation maculopathy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Best-corrected visual acuity and SD OCT central retinal thickness at 1 year.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine of 40 patients completed the trial (97.5%) with 1 year of follow-up. Baseline study entry BCVA was 20/63 and was maintained at 20/62 at study conclusion at 60 weeks (1 year). At baseline, SD OCT mean central retinal thickness was 432 μm and improved to 294 μm at 60 weeks (P < 0.02). At the study conclusion, 42.5% of eyes (17/40) showed better than 20/50 BCVA, and only 5% of eyes (2/40) showed a BCVA worse than 20/200. In the every-6-weeks interval treatment arm, patients received 9 injections, whereas in the treat-and-adjust study arm, patients received 8.4 injections (P = 0.88, not significant). One patient experienced an inflammatory response after aflibercept injection, but this did not occur again for this patient, nor for any other study injections (1/400 injections [0.0025%]). No patients demonstrated endophthalmitis or metastatic disease or died during the study window.

CONCLUSIONS

Aflibercept seems to limit vision loss associated with radiation maculopathy. In this randomized, prospective clinical study, no difference was found between a fixed 6-week treatment interval and a variable treat-and-adjust interval because virtually all patients required treatment every 6 weeks and were not able to extend. Remarkably, almost half of all treated patients maintained BCVA of 20/50 or better throughout 1 year of treatment. Aflibercept is effective in treating radiation maculopathy, but requires an ongoing treatment approach.

The Use of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF and Triamcinolone in the Treatment of Radiation Papillopathy

Background/Aims

To evaluate a treatment regimen for radiation papillopathy.

Methods

This is a prospective noncomparative interventional case series of patients who developed radiation papillopathy after plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Treatment consisted of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) (1.25 mg in 0.05 mL) at the time of diagnosis, and 1 week later, intravitreal triamcinolone (IVK) (2.00 mg in 0.05 mL). One month later, patients again received both IVB and IVK. Patients were then switched to monotherapy with monthly IVB until the papillopathy resolved.

Results

Eleven patients developed radiation papillopathy, with 9 receiving treatment. On multivariate analysis, total radiation dose to the optic nerve was the only significant predictor of papillopathy (p = 0.005). Four of nine patients presented with a significant decline in visual acuity (VA) at the time of diagnosis of papillopathy. In all 4, significant improvement was documented following treatment. Five patients did not present with a decrease in VA, and in this group, 80% remained stable with treatment.

Conclusions

In this series, patients who had a precipitous drop in VA at the time of diagnosis of radiation papillopathy returned to baseline VA following this treatment algorithm. This protocol was effective at maintaining stability of VA in 80% of those who developed papillopathy but did not present with an acute drop in VA.

[CyberKnife®: new treatment option for uveal melanoma]

BACKGROUND

CyberKnife® stereotactic radiosurgery is a new treatment option for uveal melanoma.

OBJECTIVE

This review outlines the technique of robot-assisted CyberKnife® therapy, as well as the pros and cons in the treatment of uveal melanoma.

METHODS

The study provides a PubMed literature review and own preliminary clinical experiences.

RESULTS

CyberKnife® therapy for choroidal and ciliary body melanomas shows comparable results concerning local tumor control and overall survival matching those of conventional therapies. With only low complication rates, a high level of quality of life can be conserved by possible preservation of visual acuity as well as the ocular globe.

CONCLUSION

Stereotactic radiosurgery using CyberKnife® seems to be an efficient and safe therapeutic option for malignant melanomas affecting the choroid and ciliary body. Comparative studies with conventional radiation strategies are now a high priority.

Ruthenium-106 Brachytherapy with or without Additional Local Therapy Shows Favorable Outcome for Variable-Sized Choroidal Melanomas in Korean Patients

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to report clinical outcomes of ruthenium-106 (¹⁰⁶Ru) brachytherapy with or without additional local therapy for choroidal melanomas in Korean patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 88 patients diagnosed with choroidal melanomas were treated with ¹⁰⁶Ru brachytherapy between 2006 and 2012. Patients were divided into two groups according to their tumor height: a large group (≥ 6 mm, n=50) and a small group (< 6 mm, n=38). Most patients in the large group received combined therapy with local excision and/or transpupillary thermotherapy. In general, 85-95 Gy was administered to the apex of the tumor, while 100 Gy was administered to the point 2-6 mm from the outer surface of the sclera for patients undergoing combined therapy.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 30 months. The 3-year local control rate was significantly higher in the small group than in the large group (94% vs. 70%, p=0.047). The free from distant metastasis (FFDM) rate and the overall survival (OS) rate were also higher in patients in the small group (3-year FFDM, 97% vs. 76%; p=0.031 and 3-year OS, 97% vs. 72%; p=0.036). A total of 13 patients underwent enucleation. The eye-preservation rate was also higher in the small group (3-year eye-preservation rate, 94% vs. 70%; p=0.050), and tumor height was a significant prognostic factor for eye-preservation.

Conclusion

¹⁰⁶Ru brachytherapy showed favorable outcomes in small choroidal melanomas in Korean patients. Although additional local treatment could improve eye-preservation rate for large tumors, other strategies should be considered for disease control.

Role of radiation therapy in melanomas: Systematic review and best practice in 2016

Radiotherapy has been used for skin cancers since early after the discovery of X-rays. The introduction of sophisticated surgery techniques and information of the general population on potential late radiation-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis have led to limiting indications in the dermatologist community. However, radiotherapy (RT) has undergone considerable developments, essentially including technological advances, to sculpt radiation delivery, with demonstration of the benefit either alone or after adding concomitant cytotoxic agents or targeted therapies. Although side effects due to high doses and/or the use of old RT techniques have been significantly decreased, the risk of atrophic scars, ulcerations or secondary cancers persist. In this systematic review, we aim to discuss indications for RT in melanomas with focus on new advances that may lead to rehabilitating this treatment option according to the tumor radiosensitivity and clinical benefit/risk ratio. Melanomas have been considered as radioresistant tumors for many years.

Visual impairment due to bilateral multifocal choroidal metastasis of parotid adenocarcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Orbital metastases are an uncommon finding, being present in just 9% deceased patients with metastatic cancer. Only a quarter of patients with choroidal metastases have bilateral disease. Parotid cancer is not a common form of head and neck malignancy. Bilateral multifocal metastases from adenocarcinoma ex pleomorphic of parotid gland have been documented just once before in the literature. We present a similar case where palliative EBRT was used to gain local control with minimal toxicity.

CASE PRESENTATION

The case of a 45-year-old Caucasian gentleman who presented to his general practitioner with otalgia and weight loss. Imaging revealed a mass in the deep lobe of the left parotid gland, invading into the medial pterygoid muscle. PET-CT revealed locoregional and distant lymphatic involvement plus disseminated skeletal metastases. Lymph node examination revealed adenocarcinoma ex pleomorphic histology. Within weeks of this diagnosis, the patient developed rapidly progressive visual impairment. Ophthalmologists found multifocal uveal masses bilaterally. Palliative fractions of external beam radiotherapy were delivered to the orbits before combination chemotherapy. We discuss the patient's presentation, histopathology, and management, with support from the literature regarding applied and related therapies.

SUMMARY

In this rare presentation of disseminated malignancy affecting the choroid bilaterally, the authors demonstrate the application of palliative EBRT to good local effect. Given the nature of this treatment and that of the metastases, in the setting of incurable disease orbital morbidity is likely to occur again before the patient's death. Awareness of the initial symptoms is important to provide prompt care and maintain quality of life.