Adjuvant Brachytherapy with Ruthenium-106 to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence of Conjunctival Melanoma after Excision.

Introduction: Local recurrence of conjunctival melanoma (CM) is common after excision. Local radiotherapy is an effective adjuvant treatment option, and brachytherapy with ruthenium-106 (Ru) is one such option. Thus, herein, we aimed to describe our experience with and the clinical results of post-excision adjuvant Ru plaque brachytherapy in patients with CM.

Methods: Nineteen patients (8 men and 11 women) received adjuvant brachytherapy with a Ru plaque after tumor excision. The mean adjuvant dose administered was 109 Gy (range, 80-134 Gy), and a depth of only 2.2 mm was targeted because the tumor had been excised. A full ophthalmological examination including visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, and indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed before therapy and at every postoperative follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 62 months (range, 2-144 months).

Results: Three patients developed a recurrence in a nontreated area, at either the conjunctiva bulbi or the conjunctiva tarsi. None of the patients developed a recurrence in the treated area. The local control rate was 84% (16/19).

Conclusion: Ru plaque brachytherapy is an effective adjuvant treatment to minimize the risk of local recurrence after excision of a CM. Patients have to be followed up regularly and carefully for the early detection of recurrence.