Description

Melanoma of the eye is a kind of eye cancer that begins in the cells inside the eyes that make melanin. Melanin is more often known as the pigment that gives the skin its color. But the eyes have cells that produce melanin also. Eye melanoma is also called ocular melanoma, intraocular melanoma and uveal melanoma.

The majority of melanomas form in the part of the eye can't see when looking in a mirror. That makes eye melanoma difficult to notice. And the eye melanoma typically doesn't cause symptoms in the beginning.

Melanoma of the eye can be treated. Treatment for small eyes melanomas may not cause vision problems. But the treatment of the eyes large melanomas typically occur in some loss of vision.

Symptoms

Melanoma of the eye may not cause any symptoms. When they do occur, signs and symptoms of melanoma of the eye can include:

  • Flashes of light or what look like dust specks in the vision of a person. These are sometimes called floats.
  • A growing dark spot on the colored part of the eye, called the iris.
  • A change in the shape of the pupil. The pupil is the dark circle in the center of the eye.
  • Low vision or blurred vision in one eye.
  • Not be able to see when you look to the side. This is called loss of peripheral vision.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a health care professional if you have any of the symptoms of melanoma of the eye. If you notice any sudden changes in vision, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Causes

It is not clear what causes melanoma of the eye.

Melanoma of the eye that occurs when the cells in the eye to develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA tells the cells to grow and multiply at a set rate. The DNA also tells the cells to die at a set time.

In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes tell cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy tissue. At the time, cancer cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

Where the melanoma of the eye develops

Melanoma of the eye most often occurs in the cells of the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea. The uvea consists of three parts. Each part can be affected by melanoma of the eye:

  • The iris. The iris is the colored part in the front part of the eye.
  • The layer of the choroid. The layer of the choroid is a layer of blood vessels and connective tissue. It is located in the back part of the uvea.
  • The ciliary body. The ciliary body is located behind the iris. Helps the eye focus. It also makes a clear fluid called the aqueous humor, which fills the front part of the eye.

Melanoma of the eye can happen in other parts of the eye. But this is very rare. Other parts of the eye that can develop melanoma include:

  • The layer in the front part of the eye, called the conjunctiva.
  • The socket that surrounds the eyeball, called the orbit.
  • The eyelid.

Risk factors

Risk factors for melanoma of the eye include:

  • The light color of the eyes. People with blue eyes or green eyes have a higher risk of melanoma of the eye.
  • Be white. White people have a higher risk of melanoma of the eye that people of other races.
  • Age. The risk of melanoma of the eye increases with age.
  • Certain inherited diseases of the skin.A condition called nevus syndrome dysplastic, which causes unusual moles, may increase the risk of melanoma of the eye. People who have a condition called melanocytosis eye are also at an increased risk of melanoma of the eye. This condition involves the unusual pigmentation of the skin in the eyelid and tissue around the eyelids. It also leads to increased pigmentation in the eyes of the uvea.
  • Certain genetic changes. Some changes in the DNA that are passed from parents to children can increase the risk of melanoma of the eye.
  • Exposure to ultraviolet light. Some research suggests that exposure to ultraviolet light can increase the risk of melanoma of the eye. Uv light sources include the sun, as well as tanning beds.

Certain inherited diseases of the skin. A condition called nevus syndrome dysplastic, which causes unusual moles, may increase the risk of melanoma of the eye.

People who have a condition called melanocytosis eye are also at an increased risk of melanoma of the eye. This condition involves the unusual pigmentation of the skin in the eyelid and tissue around the eyelids. It also leads to increased pigmentation in the eyes of the uvea.

The health professionals I have not found anything that can prevent melanoma of the eye.

Complications

Some people develop other health problems related to the eyes of melanoma. These are called complications. May include the following:

The loss of vision

Melanoma of the eye can cause vision loss. Sometimes the vision loss is a symptom of a melanoma of the eye. Sometimes the vision loss is caused by the eye of treatment for melanoma.

Melanoma of the eye that extends beyond the eyes

Melanoma of the eye can be spread outside of the eye to other areas of the body, including the liver, lungs, and bones.

Diagnosis

The eyes of melanoma diagnosis often begins with an examination of the eyes. Imaging tests can help show the size of the cancer.

Eye exam

During an eye examination for melanoma of the eye, a health care professional may first examine the outside of the eye. The health professional you can search for vessels that are larger than usual. Large vessels could mean that there is something happening on the inside of the eye.

An eye exam also involves looking at the inside of the eye with the help of special equipment. One way to do that uses lenses and a bright light mounted on a professional of the health front. This is called binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Another method uses lenses and a microscope that has an intense beam of light that illuminates the inside of the eye. This is called a slit-lamp biomicroscopy.

The photograph of the fundus of the eye

The photograph of the fundus of the eye is a test that takes color pictures of the inside surface of the eye. This part of the eye which is called the fundus. The photograph of the fundus of the eye can show a melanoma of the eye. The test can be repeated to see a melanoma over time. Different types of tests can take images of the back of the eye to show a melanoma of the eye. An example is the autofluorescence of the fundus of the eye.

The eyes of ultrasound

An eye ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the eyes. The sound waves that come from a device that looks like a wand, called a transducer. A health care professional places the transducer on the closed eyelids, and / or the front surface of the eye to obtain the images.

Eye angiography

Angiography is a test that makes the images of the blood vessels. To get images of blood vessels in the eye, a dye that is injected into a vein in the arm. The dye travels to the blood vessels in the eye. A camera with special filters to detect the dye, take photos of the eyes every few seconds for several minutes. The tests that can make the images of the blood vessels in the eye include fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography.

The optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography is an imaging test that uses light waves to take photos of eyes. You can take pictures of the uvea, and the retina, which can display a melanoma of the eye.

Melanoma of the eye of the biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. A biopsy is usually not necessary to diagnose melanoma of the eye. But it can be used in some situations. Sometimes a biopsy may be done at the time of treatment for more information about the cancer cells.

The evidence for the spread of cancer

Other tests may be needed to see if the melanoma has spread to other parts of the body. Tests may include:

  • Blood tests.
  • Tests to check how well the liver works.
  • X-ray of the chest.
  • Ultrasound.
  • Computerized axial tomography scan, also called a CT or cat scan.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging, also called magnetic resonance imaging .
  • The positron emission tomography scan, also called a PET.

Treatment

Not all melanomas of the need for treatment. When treatment is necessary, it may include radiation therapy, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, or surgery. Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and can be used to treat melanoma of the eye in some situations.

Which is the best treatment for melanoma of the eye depends on several factors. These factors include the size and location of the cancer. The treatment also depends on whether the cancer has spread beyond the eye. Your overall health and what you prefer is part of the treatment planning also.

Waiting for the treatment of small eye melanomas

A small melanoma of the eye may not need to be treated immediately. If the melanoma is small and not growing, you and your health care professional may opt to wait and see signs of growth.

If the melanoma grows or the cause of other health problems, you may choose to have the treatment at that time.

Radiation therapy for melanoma of the eye

Radiation therapy treats cancer with a powerful energy. Radiation therapy is typically used for small and medium-sized eyes of the melanomas.

For melanoma of the eye, the radiation therapy often involves the placement of a radioactive device in the eye. The device is called a plaque. Like the lid of a bottle. The plate contains several radioactive seeds. A professional of the health placed the plate on the eye, about the cancer. The plate is held in place with stitches temporary. The plate is held in place by a couple of days. Then removed. The radiation treatment that involves the positioning of the radiation in the interior of the body is called brachytherapy.

Radiation can also come from a machine that aims the beams of radiation, such as proton beams. The beams can be directed into the eye to treat eye melanoma. Giving radiation with a machine outside the body is called external-beam radiation. This type of radiation therapy is often given over several days.

Laser therapy for melanoma of the eye

Laser therapy uses a laser light to hurt the cancer cells. For melanoma of the eye, it could be used in some situations. A type of laser treatment, called thermotherapy, uses an infrared laser. Sometimes it is used together with radiation therapy to treat melanoma of the eye.

Photodynamic therapy for melanoma of the eye

Photodynamic therapy is a two-step treatment that combines the energy of light with a drug called a photosensitizer. The photosensitizer kills cancerous and precancerous cells, when activated by light, usually from a laser. For melanoma of the eye, photodynamic therapy is used for smaller cancers.

Surgery for melanoma of the eye

Surgery to treat melanoma of the eye can include the removal of the melanoma or the removal of the entire eye.

  • Surgery to remove the melanoma. Surgery to remove the melanoma and a band of healthy tissue around it may be an option for the treatment of some small eye melanomas.
  • The surgery to remove the eye.The surgery to remove an eye is called enucleation. Can be used for some of the big eyes of the melanomas. After the eye with the melanoma is removed, an implant is often put in the same place. The muscles that control eye movement are attached to the implant. That allows the implant to move. After the eye has time to heal, an artificial eye, called a prosthesis, which coincides with that of the other eye.

The surgery to remove the eye. The surgery to remove an eye is called enucleation. Can be used for some of the big eyes of the melanomas.

After the eye with the melanoma is removed, an implant is often put in the same place. The muscles that control eye movement are attached to the implant. That allows the implant to move. After the eye has time to heal, an artificial eye, called a prosthesis, which coincides with that of the other eye.

Targeted therapy for melanoma of the eye

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. For eye melanoma, targeted therapy may be used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or in situations where surgery is not possible.

Immunotherapy for melanoma of the eye

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. For eye melanoma, immunotherapy may be used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or in situations where surgery is not possible.

Coping and support

Dealing with changes in vision

If the treatment of cancer cause total loss of vision in one eye, than still it is possible to make the most of the things we were able to do when they could see with both eyes. But it can take several months to get used to the new way of seeing.

Having only one eye affects the ability to judge the distance. And it may be more difficult to be aware of the things around you. This is especially true of the things that happen on the side where you no longer have vision.

An occupational therapist can help you learn ways to cope with a change in vision. A support group may also be useful. Ask your health care professional for recommendations.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by seeing your primary health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare provider suspects that you have a problem in the eye, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the care of the eyes, called an ophthalmologist.

If you have melanoma of the eye, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in cancer of the eye, is called an ocular oncologist. This doctor can explain your treatment options and can refer you to other specialists depending on the treatments you choose.

Appointments can be short, so it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any thing that you need to do before your appointment. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do to prepare.
  • Write down the symptoms that you have. Include any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information. Include any major stresses or recent life changes. Family medical history can also be helpful.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you take.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all information that is obtained during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

Bring a list of questions to your appointment can help you to make the most of your time with your health care professional. For melanoma of the eye, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Do I have melanoma of the eye?
  • Where is melanoma of the eye located?
  • What is the size of the melanoma of the eye?
  • Has the eye of melanoma spread beyond my eyes?
  • Will I need additional tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Can treatments to cure melanoma of the eye?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • Do I have to have a treatment?
  • How much time can I take to decide on a treatment?
  • There is a treatment that you feel is best for me?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life?
  • How will treatment affect my vision?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together with melanoma of the eye?
  • Should I consult with other specialists?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions that you may have too much.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you some questions, including:

  • When did you start having symptoms?
  • Do you have symptoms all the time, or come and go?
Symptoms and treatment of melanoma of the Eye