Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) by infrared irradiation of choroidal melanoma

✍ Scribed by J. G. Korver; J. A. Oosterhuis; H. M. Kakebeeke-Kemme; D. Wolff-Rouendaal

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 548 KB
• Volume: 82
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0012-4486
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00160764

✦ Synopsis

We studied the destructive effect of hyperthermia at sub-photocoagulation level of 45-60 ~ on melanomas. Optimal conditions for spreading of heat into tissue are a wavelength of 700-900 nm, a temperature of 45-60 ~ an exposure time of i minute or more, and a beam diameter of several millimeters. In hamsters with subcutaneous melanomas we obtained a tumour necrosis of 6mm depth at 60~ and one minute exposure time. We performed transpupillary thermotherapy (TFT) with a diode laser at 810 nm in patients with choroidal melanomas prior to enucleation. Treatment is based on the fortunate situation that irradiation at this wavelength combines optimal tissue penetration with a low absorption by clear ocular media of 5% or less. In 3 ~FTT-treated eyes histopathology showed a depth of necrosis of 0.9, 3.4, and 3.9 mm. TTT may become a new useful treatment modality for choroidal melanoma but its ultimate value has yet to be assessed.