For patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma, or melanoma of the eye, treatment depends on the tumor's size and stage of development. Particularly small melanomas may require no more than a watch-and-wait approach, though larger or symptomatic tumors call for active intervention.
This intervention may include some form of radiation, the most common of which being brachytherapy. Also known as plaque therapy, this treatment requires the surgical placement of a small device containing radioactive seeds, which the treatment team places on the outside of the eye. Over the course of a few days, the radiation treats the tumor effectively.
Other forms of radiation therapy for ocular melanoma include proton beam radiotherapy. This option involves targeted delivery of radiation to the tumor itself.
Patients with large or recurring tumors may need to undergo surgery, either after or instead of radiation treatment. Procedures range from complete removal of the eye to repeat radiation if additional growth of tumor is noted. The choice depending primarily on the tumor's size and location. Sometimes laser treatment, called TTT laser after radiation treatment may be necessary to help prevent recurrence.