Evaluation of hematoporphyrin photoradiation therapy to treat choroidal melanomas

Abstract

Hematoporphyrin derivative-photoradiation therapy (HPD-PRT) was used to treat choroidal melanomas in 23 human subjects. Tumor sizes were divided into three categories: less than 500 mm³ (11 patients), 500-1,000 mm³ (four patients), and greater than 1,000 mm³ (eight patients). Tumors were exposed to 630 nm laser light at total doses of 300-3,000 J/cm². Significant tumor reduction was noted in the subjects with initial tumor volume of less than 500 mm³ and 500-1,000 mm³.