Operative therapy and irradiation of conjunctival melanoma

Radiotherapy of conjunctival melanoma has gained in importance in recent years compared to less invasive therapeutic approaches. This is due to the high recurrence rates achieved by omitting adjuvant therapy and to the increasing availability of suitable radiotherapeutic methods, so that tumors formerly not amenable to organ-preserving therapy can now be treated. This article presents the current radiotherapeutic options for conjunctival melanoma. The aim is to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and the course of therapy of malignant conjunctival melanoma. It is the authors' intention to justify the necessity of the adjuvant therapy of conjunctival melanoma and to emphasize the need for interdisciplinary cooperation during the course of tumor therapy. The article is based on results published in the literature as well as on data collected and experience gained in our centre.