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Melanoma of the eye Causes and Risks:
Melanoma is a very aggressive type of cancer that can spread rapidly. Excessive exposure to sunlight may be a cause of melanoma. 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.
Prevention:
Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight; wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.
Symptoms:
Note: There may be no symptoms.
Signs and Tests:
An eye examination with an ophthalmoscope reveals a single round or oval lesion within the eye.
Tests may include:
Treatment:
Small melanomas may be treated by laser or by radiation therapy . Chemotherapy may be indicated 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:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group .
Prognosis:
The outcome for melanoma of the eye is usually not good. Prognosis (probable outcome) depends upon the size of the lesion at the time of diagnosis, if the tumor has metastasized, and the potential for the specific tumor to spread or grow rapidly.
Complications:
Metastasis of the tumor to other areas of the body is a complication.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if a melanoma of the eye is suspected.
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