Brachytherapy for patients with uveal melanoma: historical perspectives and future treatment directions

Abstract

Beatrice Y Brewington,1 Yusra F Shao,2 Fredrick H Davidorf,1 Colleen M Cebulla1 1Havener Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Ohio State University, 2Medical Student Research Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA Abstract: Surgical management with enucleation was the primary treatment for uveal melanoma (UM) for over 100 years. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study confirmed in 2001 that globe-preserving episcleral brachytherapy for UM was safe and effective, demonstrating no survival difference with enucleation. Today, brachytherapy is the most common form of radiotherapy for UM. We review the history of brachytherapy in the treatment of UM and the evolution of the procedure to incorporate fine-needle-aspiration biopsy techniques with DNA- and RNA-based genetic prognostic testing. Keywords: brachytherapy, uveal melanoma, UM, fine-needle-aspiration biopsy, genetic prognostic testing, molecular markers

Keywords

• Brachytherapy for UM
• Uveal melanoma
• UM
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy
• Genetic prognostic testing in UM patients
• Molecular markers of metastasis