Melanoma of the eye
Malignant melanoma - choroid; Malignant melanoma - eye; Eye tumor; Ocular melanomaMelanoma of the eye is cancer that occurs in various parts of the eye.
Causes
Melanoma is a very aggressive type of cancer that can spread rapidly. It usually is a type of skin cancer.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is also the rarest. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease. Other common types o...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMelanoma of the eye can affect several parts of the eye, including the:
- Choroid
Choroid
The choroid is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue between the white of the eye and retina (at the back of the eye). It is part of the ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Ciliary body
- Conjunctiva
- Eyelid
- Iris
- Orbit
The choroid layer is the most likely site of melanoma in the eye. This is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue between the white of the eye and retina (back of the eye).
The cancer may only be in the eye. Or, it may spread (metastasize) to another location in the body, most commonly the liver. Melanoma can also begin on the skin or other organs in the body and spread to the eye.
Melanoma is the most common type of eye tumor in adults. Even so, melanoma that starts in the eye is rare.
Too much exposure to sunlight is an important risk factor for melanoma. People who have fair skin and blue eyes are most affected.
Symptoms
Symptoms of melanoma of the eye may include any of the following:
- Bulging eyes
Bulging eyes
Bulging eyes is the abnormal protrusion (bulging out) of one or both eyeballs.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Change in iris color
- Poor vision in one eye
Poor vision
There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Red, painful eye
Painful eye
Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a forei...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Small defect on the iris or conjunctiva
Iris
The iris is the colored part of the eye. It is located between the cornea and lens. The round, central opening of the iris is called the pupil. Ve...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleConjunctiva
The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball (the sclera). It contains ma...
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In some cases, there may be no symptoms.
Exams and Tests
An eye examination with an ophthalmoscope may reveal a single round or oval lump (tumor) in the eye.
Ophthalmoscope
Ophthalmoscopy is an examination of the back part of the eye (fundus), which includes the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTests that may be ordered include:
- Brain CT or MRI scan to look for spread (metastasis) to the brain
Brain CT
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
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A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
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Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Skin biopsy if there is an affected area on the skin
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...
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Treatment
Small melanomas may be treated with:
- Surgery
- Laser
- Radiation therapy (such as Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, brachytherapy)
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleGamma Knife
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body. Despite its name, radiosur...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCyberKnife
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body. Despite its name, radiosu...
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Surgery to remove the eye (enucleation) may be needed.
Other treatments that may be used include:
- Chemotherapy, if the cancer has spread beyond the eye
Chemotherapy
The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Immunotherapy, which uses medicines to help your immune system fight the melanoma
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that relies on the body's infection-fighting system (immune system). It uses substances made by the body...
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Support Groups
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
Cancer support group
The following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOutlook (Prognosis)
The outcome for melanoma of the eye depends on the size of the cancer when it is diagnosed. Most people survive at least 5 years from the time of diagnosis if the cancer has not spread outside the eye.
If the cancer has spread outside the eye, the chance of long-term survival is much lower.
Possible Complications
Problems that may develop due to melanoma of the eye include:
- Distortion or loss of vision
- Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is a separation of the light-sensitive membrane (retina) in the back of the eye from its supporting layers.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Spread of the tumor to other areas of the body
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider for an appointment if you have symptoms of melanoma of the eye.
Prevention
The most important way to prevent melanoma of the eye is to protect the eyes from sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are most intense. Wear sunglasses that have ultraviolet protection.
A yearly eye exam is recommended.
References
Dalvin LA, Shields CL. Tumors of the uvea. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 8.2.
McCannel TA. Epidemiology of posterior uveal melanoma. In: Sadda SVR, Sarraf D, Freund KB, et al, eds. Ryan's Retina. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 140.
National Cancer Institute website. Intraocular (uveal) melanoma treatment (PDQ) -- health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/eye/hp/intraocular-melanoma-treatment-pdq. Updated May 12, 2023. Accessed September 12, 2023.
Shields CL, Shields JA. Overview of management of posterior uveal melanoma. In: Sadda SVR, Sarraf D, Freund KB, et al, eds. Ryan's Retina. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 144.
Retina - illustration
The retina is the internal layer of the eye that receives and transmits focused images. The retina is normally red due to its rich blood supply.
Retina
illustration
Review Date: 8/28/2023
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.