MRI for Patients with Uveal Melanoma May Lead to Less Expensive Treatment

Treatment for uveal melanoma (UM) is generally based off the size and location of the tumor, with smaller tumors not located close to the posterior pole undergoing brachytherapy and larger tumors undergoing more expensive treatment, including enucleation or proton beam therapy (PBT). As a result, the accuracy of tumor sizing is important and although ultrasound is conventionally used, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide more accurate measurements.

This retrospectively analysis of the MRI scans of 60 patients with UM sough to determine if this imaging technique provided economic value in the treatment of UM.

In 10% of patients with intermediate tumor size, MRI measurements showed the tumor to be smaller than in ultrasound scans allowing the patient to qualify for brachytherapy. Despite the higher cost associated with MRI, the significantly lower cost of brachytherapy compared to PBT provides economic value.

The authors also noted that the economic burden of severe vision impairment associated with eye removal is high, highlighting the importance of more accurate tumor measurements associated with MRIs.

Reference

Grech Fonk L, Ferreira TA, Webb AG, Luyten GPM, Beenakker JM. The Economic Value of MR-Imaging for Uveal Melanoma. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:1135‐1143. Published 2020 Apr 28. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S238405