Surgical management of iris melanoma

Introduction
To describe the own experiences of surgical treatment of iris melanomas.

Material and methods
56 patients with iris melanoma were treated between January 1995 and June 2001. Two surgical modalities were used depend on tumor location: partial iridectomy (in 45 cases) or transscleral iridotrabeculectomy (in 11 cases with the iridocorneal angle involvement). Additional ruthenium brachytherapy was performed in 3 cases.

Results
There were no any complications during surgery. Filtration bleb occurred in 1 patient during post-operative follow-up. Local recurrence of melanoma successfuly treated with ruthenium plaque appeared in one person. Histologically, the majority were spindle B melanomas (70%), mixed in 27% and epithelioid in 3%. The visual acuity was better or not changed in 90% of cases.

Conclusions
Surgical management of iris melanoma seems to be save and effective treatment.