Jg. Journeedekorver et al., HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN HUMAN CHOROIDAL MELANOMAS AFTER TRANSPUPILLARY THERMOTHERAPY, British journal of ophthalmology, 81(3), 1997, pp. 234-239
Aims-The effect of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) on human choroid
al melanomas was investigated by means of histopathology. Methods-Befo
re enucleation TTT was performed in 11 eyes with a xenon are photocoag
ulator with a red filter or a diode laser at 810 nm. The exposure time
was 1 minute; the estimated temperature at the top of the tumour was
about 65 degrees C. Results-Seven of 11 tumours developed necrosis to
a maximum depth of 3.9 mm with a sharp demarcation between the necroti
c and the viable part of the tumour. The depth correlated with penetra
tion of heat into the tumour. Scattered small haemorrhages in the tran
sitional zone between the necrotic and the viable part of the tumour w
ere observed in three eyes but large haemorrhages were absent. Ocular
media were not affected owing to the low rate of absorption of radiati
on at 810 nm. TTT did not cause significant scleral damage. Intrascler
al tumour cells with a viable appearance were observed in one eye, whe
re the tumour was almost totally necrotic. Conclusion-Results show tha
t TTT has potential as a conservative therapeutic treatment for choroi
dal melanomas.