Photodynamic Therapy for Choroidal Melanoma: What is the response rate?

To determine the response rate of choroidal melanoma following primary photodynamic therapy we conducted a meta-analysis of published studies. A total of 7 studies reporting photodynamic therapy (PDT) as primary treatment of choroidal melanoma in 162 patients with a mean tumor height of 2.8 mm (1.4 to 4.2) were identified. 46% of tumors were amelanotic, 48% were fully pigmented, and 6% had partial pigmentation. The PDT parameters in all studies included 10 minute intravenous infusion of verteporfin (6mg/m2), but varied in number of sessions (1 to 3), fluence (1x to 19x), and number of spots (single or multiple).
Source: Survey of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Source Type: research