Radiation therapy for choroidal metastases

A retrospective study was performed on 30 cases with choroidal metastases referred to the Cancer Institute Hospital between Jul. 1975 and Jun. 1986. Of these 30 cases, 32 eyes of 26 patients were treated with irradiation of 4.3 MV X-rays or 12 MeV electron beam therapy in the range of 20∼60 Gy to restore vision and prevent blindness. The tumor response to radiation therapy confirmed by opthalmoscopic examination was described as complete, partial or no response. Of the 32 eyes, 31% had complete response, and 47% showed partial response. The overall response rate was 78%. A visual response as defined by marked or partial improvement of visual acuity and/or subjective symptoms was obtained in 16 out of 26 patients (62%). All of these patients were free of recurrence of symptoms in their quality of life. This proved radiotherapy to be a useful modality of treatment for choroidal metastases. No obvious radiation injuries were encountered in this series. (author)