[Radiotherapy of intraocular tumours, particularly of melanoma of the choroid (author's transl)].

From 1964 to 1976 a number of 131 patients, suffering from melanoma of the choroid have been treated with 106Ru/106Rh beta-ray applicators. In 81 cases (61.8%) this treatment has been successful. 26 eyes (19.9%) had to be enucleated in spite of the irradiation. 24 patients (18.3%) died, 13 of them of metastases. Only in 46 patients, out of 81, we have reached total destruction of the tumor with flat chorioatrophic scar. In 27 cases visual acuity of 1.5 to 0.5 could be preserved. Radiogenic late complications in the capillary system with disturbances of the retinal blood circulation were the cause of visual deterioration. The 107 surviving patients were controlled during a period of 6.5 years in the average. Survival rate 91.2% after 5 and 84% after 10 years. Another group of 214 patients with melanoma of the choroid, who had been treated from 1955 to 1970 by enucleation reached a survival rate of 72% after 5 years. Treatment with 106Rh beta-irradiation therefore leads to no increased danger of metastases. The following indications for this treatment are suggested: 1. Prominence of the tumor not exceeding 5 mm, largest diameter at its base not more than 15 mm. 2. Distance of the dorsal edge of the tumor at least 1-2 optic disc diameters from the nerve head. 3. Peripheral delimitation against the ciliary body. 4. No tumor growth outside the eye.