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Alternative names Return to top
Malignant melanoma - choroid; Malignant melanoma - eye; Eye tumor; Ocular melanomaDefinition Return to top
Melanoma is a cancerous tumor that can occur in various structures in the eye, such as the choroid, the iris, or the ciliary body. The choroid layer is the most likely location of melanoma in the eye.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Melanoma is a very aggressive type of cancer that can spread rapidly. In the US, it occurs in about 6 people per million per year. Excessive exposure to sunlight is an important risk factor and the occurrence of melanoma has greatly increased in recent decades. Fair-skinned and blue-eyed people are affected most often.
The eye can be the primary site of the tumor, or the cancer may have spread to the eye from another location in the body. There may be no early symptoms, but the tumor will eventually cause a retinal detachment and distortion of vision.
Melanoma is the most common type of eye tumor in adults. Even so, primary melanoma of the eye is rare.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
An eye examination with an ophthalmoscope reveals a single round or oval lump (tumor) within the eye.Treatment Return to top
Small melanomas may be treated by laser or by radiation therapy. Chemotherapy may be needed if the tumor has spread. Surgical removal of the eye may be necessary to prevent the spread of tumor to the brain or other organs.Support Groups Return to top
For additional resources, see cancer support group.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The outcome for melanoma of the eye depends upon the size of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Between 60% and 80% of patients will survive at least 5 years from the time of diagnosis if the cancer has not spread outside the eye (metastasized).
If there has been spread outside the eye, the chance of survival is much lower.
Complications Return to top
Spread of the tumor to other areas of the body is a complication.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if a melanoma of the eye is suspected.Prevention Return to top
The most important way to prevent eye melanoma is to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are most intense. Wear sunglasses, and be sure they have ultraviolet protection. Update Date: 5/4/2004 Updated by: Stephen Grund, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |