AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND STUDY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN CHOROIDAL AMELANOTIC MELANOMA.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary photodynamic therapy (PDT) for posterior choroidal amelanotic melanomas. METHODS: Patients with posterior choroidal amelanotic melanomas up to 6 mm in height were treated with PDT using verteporfin as the photosensitizing agent. Treatment was repeated every 3 months until the tumor was flat up to a maximum of 6 treatments. Tumor response and recurrence was assessed by clinical examination, photography, and ultrasonography. Patients were monitored 3 monthly for a minimum of 3 years. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 41 (88%) patients had complete regression after an initial course of PDT. Of them, 20 (56%) had no recurrence, 3 (8%) had recurrences that were successfully treated with further PDT, and 13 (36%) had recurrences that failed or were not amenable to further PDT. None of the measured baseline characteristics predicted treatment outcomes. There was no reduction in visual acuity due to PDT. The mean follow-up time was 3.5 years. CONCLUSION: In this large series, primary PDT was highly effective in achieving initial regression of posterior choroidal amelanotic melanomas. Photodynamic therapy is a vision-preserving treatment option for these tumors; however, patients need to be followed up closely because there is a significant rate of recurrence.

Treatment of amelanotic choroidal melanoma with photodynamic therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy on amelanotic choroidal melanoma. METHODS: Nine patients with posteriorly located amelanotic choroidal melanomas, one with a pigmented portion, underwent photodynamic therapy using verteporfin as the photosensitizing agent. The basal diameters ranged from 4 mm to 16 mm and the heights from 1.3 mm to 5.7 mm. Treatment was repeated until the melanoma was completely flat or its height had reached a stable end point. Tumor response was assessed by clinical examination, photography, and ultrasonography. Annual screening for hepatic metastases was performed. RESULTS: Eight tumors demonstrated apparent complete regression over 1 month to 14 months. The amelanotic portion of the mixed tumor flattened, whereas the height of the pigmented part remained stable at 2 mm. In 8 patients there has been no recurrence during follow-up of between 34 months and 81 months. One case developed 2 separate local recurrences at 21 months and 34 months. There were no serious complications, no patient lost vision after treatment, and none developed metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: In this series photodynamic therapy was highly effective in causing regression of posteriorly located amelanotic choroidal melanomas, without a detrimental effect on vision. While the short-term results are encouraging, there is some uncertainty regarding complete tumor destruction and long-term efficacy.