Laser Eye Therapy for Melanoma of the Eye

In transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), a wide laser beam is directed at the choroidal tumor through a contact lens, causing tumor cell death. In 1996, Mayo became one of the first centers in the nation to use TTT. Three years later, Mayo researchers published the results of TTT for the first 20 patients seen.

"We wanted to reaffirm the effectiveness of TTT for our original patients by examining their follow-up data," said Colin McCannel, M.D., Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist and study co-investigator. "In addition, we hoped to show continued success with the procedure as a stand-alone treatment for choroidal melanoma."

Mayo Clinic researchers report that transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) appears to be a successful treatment for most patients who have small choroidal melanomas - a primary cancer of the eye. The results of the study are in the April issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

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