Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction

Abstract Background Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has been used to treat multiple cancers including liver metastasis from uveal and cutaneous melanoma but not as primary tumor treatment. We report the compassionate use of chemoreduction with intra-arterial melphalan before ruthenium brachytherap...

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Main Authors: Rodrigo Jorge, Igor Coelho, Gustavo Viani, Amanda Alexia R. Vieira, Fernando Chahud, Daniel G. Abud, Zelia M. Correa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-08-01
Series:International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-022-00404-1
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author Rodrigo Jorge
Igor Coelho
Gustavo Viani
Amanda Alexia R. Vieira
Fernando Chahud
Daniel G. Abud
Zelia M. Correa
author_facet Rodrigo Jorge
Igor Coelho
Gustavo Viani
Amanda Alexia R. Vieira
Fernando Chahud
Daniel G. Abud
Zelia M. Correa
author_sort Rodrigo Jorge
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has been used to treat multiple cancers including liver metastasis from uveal and cutaneous melanoma but not as primary tumor treatment. We report the compassionate use of chemoreduction with intra-arterial melphalan before ruthenium brachytherapy to salvage an eye with choroidal melanoma. Case presentation A 61-year-old female patient complained of decreased vision and central-temporal scotoma in OS (left eye) for 1 month. Visual acuity was 20/20 in right eye (OD) and 20/125 OS. Anterior segment examination and intraocular pressure were unremarkable in both eyes, as was fundus examination of the OD. Fundus examination of OS revealed a brown, solid tumor partially obscuring the temporal optic disc margin and extending to the equatorial fundus midzone. Serous retinal detachment was present over the lesion and around it. Ultrasonography revealed a solid choroidal tumor with a largest basal diameter (LBD) of 13.0 mm and thickness of 10.4 mm. The tumor presented acoustic hollowness and a superimposing retinal detachment. After metastatic screening was negative, the patient underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy with melphalan. Three weeks later, her visual acuity was 20/200 and there was noticeable tumor regression to 11.9 mm (LBD) by 7.9 mm (thickness) allowing brachytherapy to be performed. Ten weeks after brachytherapy (13 weeks after IAC), visual acuity was HM due to biopsy-related vitreous hemorrhage (VH). Tumor dimensions were 9.9 (LBD) mm and 6.5 mm (thickness) and PPV was performed to remove VH. Six weeks after PPV (20 weeks after IAC), her visual acuity was 20/200 and further reduction of tumor dimensions was observed: largest basal diameter was 8.9 mm and thickness was 4.9 mm. Conclusion This case illustrates the feasibility of combining induction IAC prior to ruthenium brachytherapy for large choroidal melanoma. More studies are warranted to confirm these early preliminary findings.
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spelling doaj.art-a0dc20d24e39419ebea11bb703c3cc762022-12-22T02:34:40ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202022-08-01811510.1186/s40942-022-00404-1Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreductionRodrigo Jorge0Igor Coelho1Gustavo Viani2Amanda Alexia R. Vieira3Fernando Chahud4Daniel G. Abud5Zelia M. Correa6Department of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloDepartment of Medical Images, Hematology and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloDepartment of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloDepartment of Medical Images, Hematology and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloOcular Oncology Service, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of MiamiAbstract Background Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has been used to treat multiple cancers including liver metastasis from uveal and cutaneous melanoma but not as primary tumor treatment. We report the compassionate use of chemoreduction with intra-arterial melphalan before ruthenium brachytherapy to salvage an eye with choroidal melanoma. Case presentation A 61-year-old female patient complained of decreased vision and central-temporal scotoma in OS (left eye) for 1 month. Visual acuity was 20/20 in right eye (OD) and 20/125 OS. Anterior segment examination and intraocular pressure were unremarkable in both eyes, as was fundus examination of the OD. Fundus examination of OS revealed a brown, solid tumor partially obscuring the temporal optic disc margin and extending to the equatorial fundus midzone. Serous retinal detachment was present over the lesion and around it. Ultrasonography revealed a solid choroidal tumor with a largest basal diameter (LBD) of 13.0 mm and thickness of 10.4 mm. The tumor presented acoustic hollowness and a superimposing retinal detachment. After metastatic screening was negative, the patient underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy with melphalan. Three weeks later, her visual acuity was 20/200 and there was noticeable tumor regression to 11.9 mm (LBD) by 7.9 mm (thickness) allowing brachytherapy to be performed. Ten weeks after brachytherapy (13 weeks after IAC), visual acuity was HM due to biopsy-related vitreous hemorrhage (VH). Tumor dimensions were 9.9 (LBD) mm and 6.5 mm (thickness) and PPV was performed to remove VH. Six weeks after PPV (20 weeks after IAC), her visual acuity was 20/200 and further reduction of tumor dimensions was observed: largest basal diameter was 8.9 mm and thickness was 4.9 mm. Conclusion This case illustrates the feasibility of combining induction IAC prior to ruthenium brachytherapy for large choroidal melanoma. More studies are warranted to confirm these early preliminary findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-022-00404-1Melanoma, uvealChemotherapy, Intra-arterialMelphalanRuthenium-106
spellingShingle Rodrigo Jorge
Igor Coelho
Gustavo Viani
Amanda Alexia R. Vieira
Fernando Chahud
Daniel G. Abud
Zelia M. Correa
Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Melanoma, uveal
Chemotherapy, Intra-arterial
Melphalan
Ruthenium-106
title Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
title_full Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
title_fullStr Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
title_full_unstemmed Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
title_short Melphalan intra-arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
title_sort melphalan intra arterial chemotherapy for choroidal melanoma chemoreduction
topic Melanoma, uveal
Chemotherapy, Intra-arterial
Melphalan
Ruthenium-106
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-022-00404-1
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AT amandaalexiarvieira melphalanintraarterialchemotherapyforchoroidalmelanomachemoreduction
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