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Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature

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J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2017;3:105-10.
10.20517/2394-4722.2017.07 |  © 2017 OAE Publishing Inc.
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Abstract

Aim: Choroidal metastases are rare in the evolution of solid cancers and constitute exceptional metastatic sites involving functional visual prognosis. The authors conducted a retrospective study to determine the interest of external radiotherapy for the treatment of choroidal metastases.

Methods: The authors reviewed the records of 28 patients with choroidal metastases who had breast (n = 15), lung (n = 9), ovarian (n = 1), kidney (n = 1), prostate (n = 1) cancer or carcinoma with unknown primitive at the moment of the diagnosis (n = 1). The median age was 58 years (extremes: 34-71 years). Tumor stage before the discovery of metastatic choroidal metastasis was 50% of patients. Ocular involvement was unilateral (n = 22) or bilateral (n = 6). The delivered doses ranged from 20 to 50 Gy fractionated with 3-5 Gy in 2D technique (n = 5), conformational (n = 21), intensity modulation (n = 2). The most widely used prescription scheme delivered 30 Gy in 10 fractions (64%) using two 6 MV photons beams.

Results: At the end of irradiation, 13 patients (46%) showed an improvement of eye symptoms. For the others, a stabilization in symptoms was noted (n = 15). No patient had visual degradation. No acute or late grade 2-3 toxicities were objectified. The histological type did not influence the response (P = 0.5). There was no dose relationship-response in our series.

Conclusion: External radiation therapy is a useful technique in the palliative treatment of choroidal metastases. Acute and late toxicities are acceptable.

Keywords

Radiotherapy, choroid, metastasis, ocular, tumors, visual, acuity

Introduction

Choroidal metastases are rare in the development of solid cancers that can affect the visual prognosis of the patient in the short to medium term. In several autopsy series, they have an incidence of 4% to 12% in patients with solid tumors.[1,2] The uveal tract is the most common site of intraocular metastases, probably due to anatomical reasons and blood vessel supply.[3] The treatment of these tumor localizations is not yet standardized but is based mostly on external radiotherapy, which with its sophisticated new techniques allows better results while protecting healthy organs around.[4,5] We conducted a retrospective study and synthesis of the literature to determine the interest of radiotherapy in the management of choroidal metastases.

Methods

Patient characteristics

We reviewed the cases of 28 patients treated in our center in the period between August 1996 to June 2015 and presenting choroidal metastases in a context of solid cancer, excluding melanomas. All information regarding the date and site of the primary tumor, status of the primary at the time when choroidal metastasis was diagnosed, date of choroidal metastatsis diagnosis, symptoms, localization and number of lesions in the eye, radiation treatment and technical parameters was collected. All the ophthalmological examinations were done in the ophthalmology department of our center, and then sent to our department for oncological management by radiotherapy [Table 1].

Table 1

Clinical characteristics

Characteristics Effective
Gender
 Man 9
 Women 19
Medianage 58 years (34-75 years)
Primary tumor localization
 Lung 9
 Breast 15
 Ovarian 1
 Kidney 1
 Prostate 1
 Unknown primitive 1
Tumor stage before discovery
 Localized 13
 Metastatic 15

Radiotherapy

For each patient, excluding those treated in two-dimensional radiotherapy (2D), a scanner with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm was performed in treatment position using a thermoformed contention mask to maintain a reproducible position throughout the treatment. Treatment plan was performed using the ECLIPSE TM treatment planning system (VARIAN®, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The treatment was delivered with a VARIAN CLINAC® Linear Accelerator. The doses varied from 20 Gy to 50 Gy with a fractionation of 3 Gy to 5 Gy in two-dimensional 2D (n = 5), conformational 3D (n = 21), intensity modulation (n = 2). The most used prescription regimen consisted of delivering 30 Gy into 10 fractions of 3 Gy (n = 18). The clinical target volume CTV was the posterior uvea-choroid of the eye. The planning target volume PTV represented CTV with a margin varying between 0.5 cm and 1 cm. The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and merge it with the dosimetric scanner could help delineating the target volume with precision for a better planning of the treatment plan which will make it possible to give a large dose to the target volume to be treated (choroid) and sparing the risky organs beside it [Table 2].

Table 2

Results of external beam radiotherapy in our cohort

Characteristics Effective
Total dose (splitting)
 20 (4) Gy4
 20 (5) Gy1
 24 (4) Gy2
 30 (3) Gy18
 30.5 (2.5) Gy1
 37.5 (3.5) Gy1
 50 (4) Gy1
Irradiation techniques
 IMRT2
 2D5
 3D21
Acute toxicity
 No toxicity22
 Headache grade 14
 Eye pain grade 11
 Radiodermitis grade 11
Latetoxicity
 No toxicity28
Improvement of initial ophthalmologic symptoms
 Yes13
 No15
Visual improvement based on dose
 20 (4) Gy2 (50%)
 20 (5) Gy1 (100%)
 24 (4) Gy1 (100%)
 30 (3) Gy7 (35%)
 30.5 (2.5) Gy0 (0%)
 37.5 (3.5) Gy1 (100%)
 50 (4) Gy1 (100%)

Statistical analysis

SAS® JMP 11 software (SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA) was used for statistical analysis. An overall description of the population was carried out. For qualitative data, numbers and percentages were calculated. Quantitative data, median or mean by normality, as well as extreme values with minimum and maximum were estimated. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the association between two qualitative variables with a significance level P < 0.05.

Results

Patients had cancer of breast (n = 15), lung (n = 9), ovarian (n = 1), kidney (n = 1), prostate (n = 1), with an unknown primitive at the moment of the diagnosis (n = 1). The median age was 58 years [extreme (E): 34 to 71 years]. Our cohort contained 19 women and 9 men (sex ratio = 0.47). The tumor stage before the discovery of choroidal metastases was metastatic for 48% of the patients. Eye involvement was unilateral (n = 22) or bilateral (n = 6). The inaugural symptoms were variable: decreased visual acuity, visual field amputation with scotoma, photophobia, myodesopsia [Table 2].

At the end of the irradiation, 13 patients (46%) showed an improvement in ophthalmologic symptoms. For the others, a stabilization of the symptoms was noted (n = 15). No patients showed visual degradation. No acute or late grade 2-3 toxicity was objectived. The histological type was not significantly correlated with the response (P = 0.5) according to Fisher’s exact test. Furthermore, there was no dose-response relationship in our serie. The response rates following delivered dose are shown in Table 2.

Discussion

Choroidal metastases are frequently pauci symptomatic with unspecific visual signs (scotoma, myodesopsis, photophobia, ocular pain) or even strictly asymptomatic.[5-8] The exact prevalence of this tumor localization is not known with certainty and can be very variable depending on the size of metastatic patients cohorts. The median age at diagnosis in the main published series[6,7] is 55 years with a median time between diagnosis of primary cancer and choroidal metastasis of 49-month.[5] Primary tumors are predominantly of mammary and pulmonary origin.[6,7] In several series, women are predominantly involved. These data are consistent with the results of our study. However, others tumor localizations are providers of choroidal metastases such as thyroid, kidney, prostate, esophagus or melanoma cancers.[7,8] In some cases, ocular involvement may be symptomatic in one eye and remain completely asymptomatic on the other, raison why patients should systematically benefit from a complete specialized ophthalmologic examination, prior to the initiation of a treatment. According to some authors, bilateral involvement is associated with a shorter likelihood of survival.[9] On ophtalmoscopy, choroidal metastases appear as flat orange lesions located most often at the posterior pole of the eye, which can induce focal retinal detachment. Anterior or posterior uveitis may sometimes be associated. Mode A (Amplitude) and B (Brightness) ultrasound as well as fluorescein angiography can assist in diagnosis. They can demonstrate hyperfluorescence at the late time (venous) and hypofluorescence at the early (arterial).[10,11] The diagnosis of certainty by biopsy puncture is rarely obtained given the potential complications. It is based on clinico-radiological arguments and the clinical context (patient with metastatic solid cancer). On scan (CT), choroidal tumors appear as hyperdense heterogeneous lesions enhanced by the contrast medium. MRI is not essential for diagnosis but may be of interest in target volumes delineation for radiotherapy.[12] The choroidal tumors appear as heterogeneous masses with hyper signal T1 and hypo signal T2 which can be enhanced with the injection of Gadolinium.

The main therapeutic option is external radiotherapy. A thermoformed mask is generally used in order to ensure reproducibility of the treatment. As discussed in the prospective study on the radiotherapy of choroidal metastases, the anatomo-clinical target volume, which is the choroid, can be treated via one or two direct beams of 6 Megavolt energy photons.[13] A beam angulation of 50 to 100 can be performed in order to spare the contralateral choroid.[14] Another irradiation ballistics is possible by the use of 3 beams (anterior, posterior, lateral). In our series, some patients benefited from an intensity modulation radiation therapy in arctherapy or static [Figures 1-3]. The contralateral choroidal sparing is controversial. It should be noted that the rate of recurrence in the untreated contralateral choroid is estimated to be low (less than 10%).[15] However, some authors have reported a rate between 15% and 20%[16,17] whereas it was zero in the German prospective trial ARO 95-08.

Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature

Figure 1. Intensity modulated radiotherapy using 3 beams of 6 MV photons

Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature

Figure 2. Conformal radiotherapy using two beams of 6 MV photons

Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature

Figure 3. Volumetric modulated arctherapy using 6 MV photons

Potential acute side effects include radiodermatitis, focal alopecia, conjunctivitis, xerophthalmia, the severity of which is doseand field-dependent.[18] Potential late side effects include cataract, glaucoma, keratitis, dry eye syndrome, radiation-induced retinopathy depending on the technique, dose and especially the clinical context including the patient’s life expectancy.[19] In the German prospective trial of Wiegel et al.,[20] The authors delivered a dose of 40 Gy in 20 fractions of 2 Gy and noted improvement or stabilization of symptoms in 86% of cases (an improvement in 50% and stabilization in 36% of cases). The best functional results were obtained for patients with breast cancer probably due to the use of chemotherapy after irradiation. Rosset et al.[21] suggest a normofractionnated dose of at least 35 Gy. However, in practice, hypofractionnated regimens are preferred in routine clinical practice. In fact, they allow the patient to be treated quickly and, if necessary, reduce the time before resumption of any systemic treatment. The results of exclusive photon radiation therapy of the main cohorts published in the literature are reported in Table 3. According to the series,[21] the rates of stabilization or improvement of symptoms vary from 57% to 100%. The results of our study are comparable.

Table 3

Results of external beam radiotherapy with photons

AuthorsEffectivePrimitif tumor (effective)Doses (spliting)Visual stabilisation or improvement
Burmeister et al. [23]6Breast (6)21 to 27 Gy (3 to 3.4 Gy)100%
Ratanatharathorn et al. [12]19Breast (19)26 to 46 Gy (1.61 to 3 Gy)100%
Nylén et al. [24]17Breast (14)20 to 45 Gy (2 to 4 Gy)81%
Lung (1)
Others (2)
Röttinger et al. [11]188Lung (100)30 to 40 Gy (2 to 3 Gy)57%
Breast (44)
Others (44)
Rosset et al. [21]58Breast (38)20 to 53 Gy (1.8 to 2 Gy)81%
Lung (10)
Others (10)
Wiegel et al. [20]50Breast (31)40 Gy (2 Gy)86%
Lung (13)
Others (6)
d’Abbadie et al. [16]123Breast (88)18 to 30 Gy (3 to 6 Gy)68%
Lung (11)
Others (24)
Demirci et al. [16]129Breast (129)20 to 64 Gy (1.5 to 3 Gy)82%
Bajcsay et al. [25]17Breast (11)42 to 51 Gy (np)100%
Lung (4)
Others (2)
Bellmann et al. [13]10Lung (3)30 Gy (3 Gy) or 20 Gy; SBRT (20 Gy)100%
Breast (3)
Others (4)
Amichetti et al. [14]49Breast (49)16 to 60 Gy (1.8 to 3 Gy)88%
Kreusel et al. [10]18Lung (18)Unspecified83%
Konstantinidis et al. [22]96Breast (41)Unspecified94.30%
Lung (27)
Others (28)

Other therapeutic alternatives to conventional photon radiation therapy have been reported. Some teams have used stereotactic radiotherapy or proton therapy on series of patients with very limited numbers.[22,23] The results functional results obtained do not appear to be superior in terms of local control of the disease compared to photonic radiotherapy for classical tumor sites (breast, lung). These techniques should be reserved for the most radioresistant tumors including melanomas.[24-26]

Other local treatments such as plate brachytherapy, dynamic phototherapy, laser or anti-angiogenic instillations are possible but external radiotherapy remains the oldest and proven technique in clinical routine.[27,28]

In addition, systemic treatment alone with conventional chemotherapy or targeted therapy may have a local anti-tumor action on choroidal metastases.[29] The optimal therapeutic attitude could be the sequential association of choroidal radiotherapy and systemic treatment.[30,31]

In conclusion, radiotherapy is an effective treatment and low toxicity for the management of choroidal metastases. The hypofractionated regimens should be preferred in order to reduce the delay before the resumption of a possible systemic treatment which could also have a locoregional action on the choroidal metastases. This treatment fits perfectly into the palliative or curative management of oligo- or poly-metastatic disease.

Authors’ contributions

All authors have contributed to the realization of this work.

Financial support and sponsorship

None.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Patient consent

The patient consent was obtained from the patients.

Ethics approval

Ethics approval was obtained prior to the commencement of the study.

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OAE Style

Youbi ZA, Ciprian E, Ionela C, Zineb B, Majdouline K, Léa K, Pierre-Marie P, Pierre S, Séna Y. Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2017;3:105-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.07

AMA Style

Youbi ZA, Ciprian E, Ionela C, Zineb B, Majdouline K, Léa K, Pierre-Marie P, Pierre S, Séna Y. Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature. Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment. 2017; 3: 105-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.07

Chicago/Turabian Style

Youbi, Zakaria Ahmed, Enachescu Ciprian, Caraivan Ionela, Bennani Zineb, Khounigere Majdouline, Kotzki Léa, Pialat Pierre-Marie, Sesques Pierre, Yossi Séna. 2017. "Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature" Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment. 3: 105-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.07

ACS Style

Youbi, ZA.; Ciprian E.; Ionela C.; Zineb B.; Majdouline K.; Léa K.; Pierre-Marie P.; Pierre S.; Séna Y. Management of choroidal metastasis using external beam radiotherapy: a retrospective study and review of the literature. J. Cancer. Metastasis. Treat. 2017, 3, 105-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.07

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