Yttrium-90 (90Y) brachytherapy for squamous carcinoma: Treatment of the conjunctiva, cornea, and sclera

Purpose: Patients with conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma that present with persisting disease or recurrence following topical chemotherapy and/or surgery especially when invading the sclera are challenging to treat. Herein, we describe the use of high-dose-rate (HDR), FDA-cleared, yttrium-90 (90Y...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Arpita Maniar, Junzo Chino, Sheridan Meltsner, Paul T. Finger, Miguel A. Materin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451993624001671
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Summary:Purpose: Patients with conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma that present with persisting disease or recurrence following topical chemotherapy and/or surgery especially when invading the sclera are challenging to treat. Herein, we describe the use of high-dose-rate (HDR), FDA-cleared, yttrium-90 (90Y) plaque brachytherapy for such lesions. Observation: Three cases of invasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma that had exhibited a poor response or recurrence following topical chemotherapy and/or surgery are described. As treatment, HDR 90Y beta-radiation was applied to the tumor and margins for a single, continuous duration. In contrast to low-dose-rate (LDR) plaque, HDR 90Y brachytherapy did not require episcleral sutures, amniotic membrane buffering of the cornea, a Gunderson flap, outpatient dwell time, or second surgery. Radiation safety was improved by eliminating LDR-implant related post-operative radiation exposure to health care personnel, the community, family, and pets. Follow-up examination at one month revealed complete tumor resolution in all patients. At last follow-up (8, 11 and 18 months) all patients remained clinically tumor-free as confirmed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and high-frequency ultrasound imaging. There were no acute complications (e.g., corneal edema, iridocyclitis, scleropathy, keratopathy or cataract). Conclusion and Importance: 90Y brachytherapy demonstrated efficacy as a single-surgery, minimally invasive, outpatient irradiation for squamous carcinoma of the ocular surface. While short-term results were promising, long-term follow-up monitoring for side-effects and recurrence are essential.
ISSN:2451-9936