ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical value of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for uveal melanoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Jan, 1996 to March, 2004, 16 patients with uveal melanoma were treated with SRS, two by one session (35 Gy, 25 Gy) and fourteen by fractionated SRS (30-55 Gy/2-4F/4-16D). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 100 months (median: 66 months).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 16 patients were still alive though all were blind in the diseased eye during recent follow-up. Local control rate was 93.4%, 5-year survival rate of 13 patients who have been followed for more than 5 years, was 100% (13/13). However, 7 patients received eyeball enucleation due to corneal ulcer (n = 2), suspicion for uncontrolled tumor (n = 2) and secondary glaucoma (n = 3). One patient developed distant metastasis, though still alive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fractionated radiosurgery is safe and effective for uveal melanoma. It is indicated for lesions of limited size (longest diameter < 20 mm, depth < 15 mm) located in the posterior pole or behind the equator at the back of the eyeball.</p>