PURPOSE In the treatment of uveal melanomas, the optimal prescribed dose to maximize disease control, but minimize radiation-related complications is unknown. Historically our institution has treated uveal melanomas to doses less than 85 Gy to the tumor apex even if the apex was less than 5mm in height. Here, we investigate how tumor control and visual outcomes are affected by the radiation dose at the tumor apex. METHODS AND MATERIALS A retrospective review was performed to evaluate patients treated for uveal melanoma with Iodine-125 plaques between 1988 and 2010. Radiation dose is reported as dose to tumor apex and dose to 5 mm. Primary end points included time to local failure, distant failure, and death. Secondary end points included eye preservation, visual acuity, and radiation-related complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine association between radiation dose and the end point variables. RESULTS One hundred ninety patients with sufficient data to evaluate the end points were included. The 5 year local control (LC) rate was 91%. The 5 year distant metastases (DM) rate was 10%. The 5 year overall survival (OS) rate was 84%. There were no differences in outcome (LC, DM, OS) when dose was stratified by apex dose quartile (<69 Gy, 69–81 Gy, 81–89 Gy, >89 Gy). However, increasing apex dose and dose to 5 mm depth were correlated with greater visual acuity loss (p=0.02, p=0.0006), worse final visual acuity (p=0.02, p<0.0001) and radiation complications (p<0.0001, p=0.0009). In addition, enucleation rates were worse with increasing quartiles of dose to 5 mm (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Doses at least as low as 69 Gy prescribed to the tumor apex achieve rates of local control, distant metastasis free survival, and overall survival that are similar to radiation doses of 85 Gy to the tumor apex, but with improved visual outcomes.

Thromboembolic event seems to be rare after scoliosis surgery. Prophylaxis for venous thrombosis should not be recommended in such patient. But, larger series are required to confirm such results.

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