Future laser approaches in melanoma treatment

Currently, some laser treatment modalities are available for small posterior choroidal melanomas. Transpupillary thermotherapy has shown some promising short-term results but has demonstrated a high recurrence rate. A combination of TTT with radiotherapy has been used in some centers for thick tumors to lower the radiation dose and hopefully to reduce the side effects of radiation. Recent clinical use of photodynamic therapy showed some efficacy, but further studies are needed before it is recommended for clinical use. Finally, the Nd:yttrium-lanthanum-fluoride laser (Nd:YLF) laser has demonstrated promising results in arresting tumor growth in animal models. Further studies using different delivery systems are currently under evaluation.