In a nutshell
This study examined the safety and effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery for the treatment of eye melanomas. It found that this treatment modality is effective for achieving local control in these patients.
Some background
Gamma knife radiosurgery is a treatment that involves focussing a beam of radiation on a tumor to shrink it. It is commonly used in the treatment of brain tumors. However, it has more recently been used to treat eye tumors. Treatment may shrink the tumor, or it may stop it from growing and spreading which is known as local control. The effectiveness and safety of gamma knife radiosurgery in patients with eye melanoma is still not clear.
Methods & findings
The results of 52 studies were examined in this study. These studies involved patients with eye melanomas, treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. In total 1,044 patients were included in these studies. 28 of these studies were included in statistical analysis.
840 of 898 patients achieved local control. 378 of 478 patients had their tumors shrink. 92.4% of patients were alive after 3 years and 76.3% were alive after 5 years.
The most common side effect of treatment was increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Damage of the retina (light-sensitive structure in the back of the eye) was also commonly reported. 7% of patients needed their eye removed due to treatment failure.
The bottom line
This study showed that gamma knife radiosurgery is an effective treatment for eye melanomas.
The fine print
This study is based on previous studies. Clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Published By :
The Lancet. Oncology
Date :
Nov 01, 2020
