Abstract
BackgroundTo describe the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and/or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of small pigmented choroidal lesions with subfoveal fluid (SFF), and to investigate prognostic value of the therapeutic response in future tumor growth.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 19 patients, who were diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization (CNV)-free small pigmented choroidal lesions and treated with IVB and/or TTT, was performed.ResultsComplete resolution of SFF was achieved in two eyes (2/14; 14.3%) after IVB, and in three eyes (3/4; 75%) after TTT. Best corrected visual acuity was improved in two eyes (2/9; 22%) after IVB, and in three eyes (3/4; 75%) after TTT. Among five patients who underwent TTT after IVB, four patients (4/5; 80%) demonstrated additional advantage. All IVBs could not reduce tumor sizes. Rather, tumor growth was detected in seven out of 14 eyes (7/14; 50%) that underwent IVB. None of the patients who underwent TTT showed tumor growth. The lack of treatment response to IVB was suggestive of malignancy, as most small pigmented lesions that had no response to IVB showed tumor growth (86%, p = 0.010).ConclusionIVB was not effective in reducing tumor size and subfoveal fluid in small pigmented choroidal lesions. Therapeutic response to IVB can be used as an indicator between melanoma and nevus in small pigmented choroidal lesion.
Highlights
To describe the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and/or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of small pigmented choroidal lesions with subfoveal fluid (SFF), and to investigate prognostic value of the therapeutic response in future tumor growth
We report the cases of small choroidal lesions with high risk factors treated with intravitreal bevacizumab, which was developed as an anti-cancer drug [2], and transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), which was a relatively simple method to perform at the outpatient clinic
We investigated the efficacy of Intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and TTT in resolving SFF-associated small pigmented choroidal lesions, and examined the relationship between treatment response and future tumor growth
Summary
To describe the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) and/or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of small pigmented choroidal lesions with subfoveal fluid (SFF), and to investigate prognostic value of the therapeutic response in future tumor growth. Subretinal fluid (SRF) associated with choroidal nevus is a risk factor for malignant transformation [1] and an indication for treatment, as it leads to visual symptoms [3, 4]. For patients with this condition, treatment is required to prevent progressive loss of vision.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have