Helium ion therapy for choroidal melanoma
D. H. Char and J. R. Castro
Forty patients with choroidal melanomas received radiation therapy with
helium ion-charged particles. Thirty-six of 30 patients either remained
stable or demonstrated tumor shrinkage. Seventeen of 18 patients followed
up for at least one year after therapy demonstrated tumor regression, with
a mean tumor shrinkage of approximately 40%. The most effective method of
choroidal melanoma management is unclear. Charged-particle external-beam
irradiation may be more applicable and have less ocular morbidity than
either radioactive plaques or photocoagulation.
