Secondary endoresection for previously treated choroidal melanomas with a non-responsive course and persistent exudative retinal detachment.

Aim: To evaluate the results and complications of secondary endoresection pars plana vitrectomy for choroidal melanoma and review the previously reported endoresection studies on the treatment of choroidal melanoma.

Methods: The medical records of 6 patients with choroidal melanoma who underwent secondary endoresection between March 2012 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The indications for secondary endoresection were progressive or recurrent tumor and severe exudative retinal detachment after previous treatment with plaque radiotherapy/Cyberknife radiosurgery/transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT).

Results: Before endoresection, 2 eyes had Iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy and TTT, 1 eye had Ruthenium-106 plaque radiotherapy and TTT, 1 eye had Cyberknife radiosurgery and TTT, 1 eye had Cyberknife radiosurgery, and 1 eye had TTT only. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/63 to 20/1600 (Snellen) and from 0.5 to 1.9 (mean: 1.1) on the logMAR scale. The mean tumor base diameters were 9.5×8.7 mm and the mean tumor thickness was 5.4 mm. After secondary endoresection, transient vitreous hemorrhage developed in 2 (33.3%) eyes and retinal detachment in 1 (16.7%) eye. Cytopathological examination revealed epithelioid cell melanoma in 4 (66.7%) eyes and mixed cell melanoma in 1 (16.7%). Melanoma cell type was not specified in 1 (16.7%) eye. At a mean follow-up of 49.6mo (range: 16-90mo), mean visual acuity did not improve and 1 eye was enucleated due to tumor recurrence. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/63 to 20/1600 (Snellen) and from 0.5 to 1.9 (mean: 1.2) on the logMAR scale. Two patients with choroidal melanoma developed metastasis and eventually expired.

Conclusion: Secondary endoresection seems to be an effective treatment option for globe salvage in choroidal melanoma not responsive to conventional treatment and displaying persistent exudative retinal detachment. There was no visual acuity increase among the treated eyes but globe salvage was possible in most cases in this study.