Everything You Need to Know About Intraocular Melanoma
Written By: Kiruthiga Rakavan
Introduction
Eye cancer is relatively uncommon, compared to other types of cancer. The disease can affect the outer parts of the eye, such as the eyelid, as well as inner parts. Cancer that starts inside the eyes is called intraocular cancers. In adults, the most common intraocular cancers are melanoma and lymphoma. In children and adolescents, the most common type of eye cancer is retinoblastoma, which starts in the nerve cells of the retina. Like other types of cancer, eye cancers can also spread to other areas of the body. This article will be specifically about intraocular melanoma.
Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma
Intraocular melanoma is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the eye tissues. A journal study conducted by Kaliki S. and Older age and Shields CL found “the following factors to be statistically significant: light eye color, fair skin color, and inability to tan.” (Kaliki and Shields) This may be related to the fact that lighter coloured eyes and lighter skin tones mean that less melanin is present in the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium, furthermore leading to less protection from ultraviolet light. Old age is also considered a risk factor. Patients with intraocular melanoma may not see early signs and symptoms. The disease may be found during an eye exam in which the optometrist dilates the pupil and examines the eye. It’s best for people who are experiencing symptoms such as blurred vision, changes in vision, flashes of light, floaters, dark spots on iris, change in shape and size of the pupil, or a change in the position of the eyeball to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To test for the disease, a doctor could take a physical exam to check for signs of disease, such as lumps. A medical history about the patient’s health habits, past illnesses, medications and treatments will also be taken. An ophthalmologist or optometrist may also conduct an eye exam with dilated pupils in which the pupil is dilated with eye drops so the doctor can see the inside of the eyeball. Pictures may be taken over time to keep track of changes in a tumor. Types of eye exams include ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound exam, biomicroscopy and tomography. To get more information about the patient’s condition, some parts of the eye tissues containing the tumor may be surgically removed and tested in a laboratory. Depending on the type and stage of eye cancer, treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, freezing or heat therapy and laser therapy.
Conclusion
Although the risks for intraocular melanoma are low compared to other illnesses, the cancer is still very deadly and can take away one of a patient’s most important human senses; sight. Thus, it is important to be prepared, spread awareness, and learn about the symptoms of the disease. Like all diseases, early diagnosis is always better than the condition going undetected, so it is important that you see a medical professional soon if you are experiencing the symptoms of intraocular melanoma.
Sources
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, June 29). Eye Cancer | Retinoblastoma. MedlinePlus.
https://medlineplus.gov/eyecancer.html.
Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. National Cancer Institute.
http://www.cancer.gov/types/eye/patient/intraocular-melanoma-treatment-pdq.
Kaliki, S., & Shields, C. L. (2017, February). Uveal melanoma: relatively rare but deadly cancer.
Eye (London, England). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5306463/.
