Cancer, Eye Melanoma

Eye melanoma, a type of cancer, usually starts in the middle layer of your eye, called the uvea. This layer includes the colored part of your eye (iris), the muscles around the lens (ciliary body), and the blood vessel layer at the back of your eye (choroid).

Melanoma arises from cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Your eyes also have melanin-producing cells, so melanoma can develop there, too. Another name for eye melanoma is ocular melanoma.

A common problem with eye melanoma is that it often grows in parts of the eye you can't see directly. This makes it hard to find early on. Also, in the early stages, eye melanoma often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms, like pain or changes in vision.

Fortunately, there are treatments for eye melanoma. If the melanoma is small, treatment might not affect your eyesight. However, if it's large, treatment will likely lead to some vision loss. The specific type and extent of treatment will depend on the size and location of the melanoma within the eye.

Eye melanoma, a type of cancer that can develop in the eye, sometimes doesn't cause any noticeable problems. However, if symptoms do appear, they might include:

• Seeing floaters: This means you might see moving spots or specks, like dust motes, in your vision.

• A dark spot on your colored part of the eye (iris): This could be a new, dark area growing on the colored part of your eye.

• Changes in the size or shape of your pupil: The pupil is the dark circle in the center of your eye. If you notice it's changing size or shape, it could be a sign of something wrong.

• Vision problems: You might experience blurry or poor vision in one eye.

• Trouble seeing out of the corner of your eye: This is called loss of peripheral vision. You might not be able to see things as clearly on the sides of your vision.

It's important to remember that these symptoms aren't always caused by eye melanoma. If you experience any of these, it's crucial to see an eye doctor for a proper diagnosis.

If you notice any health problems that concern you, schedule a visit with your doctor. This includes any unusual or unexpected changes in your vision. If your vision suddenly changes, seek immediate medical attention, as this could be a sign of a serious problem.

Eye melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in the eye. Scientists aren't entirely sure why it happens.

Eye melanoma happens when something goes wrong with the instructions (DNA) inside healthy eye cells. These errors cause the cells to grow and multiply much faster than normal. Normally, cells have a programmed death, but the mutated cells in eye melanoma don't die. Instead, they build up and form a tumor in the eye, which we call eye melanoma.

Most often, this cancer starts in the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea. The uvea has three parts, and any of them can be affected:

• The iris: This is the colored part of your eye, the one you see.
• The choroid: This is a layer of blood vessels and tissues behind the iris and in front of the retina. It provides nutrients to the back of the eye.
• The ciliary body: This part of the uvea is in the front of the eye and makes a clear fluid called aqueous humor that helps keep the eye healthy.

Less commonly, eye melanoma can begin in the outer layer of the front of the eye (conjunctiva), the bony socket around the eye, or the eyelid. These are much less frequent types of eye melanoma.

Understanding the causes of eye melanoma is an area of ongoing research.

Eye melanoma, a type of cancer in the eye, can be influenced by several factors. Understanding these risk factors can help people take steps to protect their eyes.

Risk Factors for Eye Melanoma:

• Eye Color: People with light-colored eyes, such as blue or green, are more likely to develop eye melanoma. This is because light-colored eyes have less pigment, which may make them more vulnerable to the damaging effects of sunlight.

• Race: People with white skin have a higher chance of developing eye melanoma than people of other races. This is likely due to differences in skin pigmentation and susceptibility to UV light damage.

• Age: The risk of eye melanoma tends to increase as people get older. This is probably because exposure to UV light and the accumulation of genetic changes over time contribute to the risk.

• Inherited Skin Conditions: Certain inherited skin conditions, like dysplastic nevus syndrome, can increase the risk of melanoma, both on the skin and in the eye. Dysplastic nevus syndrome is a condition that causes unusual moles. These moles can be a sign of a higher risk of developing melanoma.

• Skin Pigmentation Changes: Having unusual skin pigmentation around the eyelids and in nearby tissues, or increased pigmentation in the uvea (the middle layer of the eye), is also a risk factor. This condition, called ocular melanocytosis, raises the possibility of eye melanoma.

• UV Light Exposure: While the exact role of UV light in eye melanoma isn't fully understood, some evidence suggests that exposure to sunlight or tanning beds might increase the risk. Overexposure to UV light can damage the cells in the eye and potentially contribute to the development of cancer.

• Genetic Factors: Some inherited gene mutations can make a person more susceptible to eye melanoma. These genetic changes can increase the risk of different types of cancers, including eye melanoma, by affecting how cells grow and divide.

It's important to remember that having one or more of these risk factors doesn't guarantee that someone will get eye melanoma. Regular eye exams and awareness of any unusual changes in the eye or eyelids are crucial for early detection and treatment. If you have concerns about your risk, talk to your doctor.

Eye melanoma, a type of cancer that starts in the eye, can lead to several problems. One of the most common issues is vision loss.

Vision Problems:

Large melanomas often cause significant vision loss in the affected eye. This can be worsened by complications like retinal detachment, which also severely impacts sight. Small melanomas, if located in crucial parts of the eye, can also cause vision problems. These might include trouble seeing straight ahead, or trouble seeing to the side. In very advanced cases, eye melanoma can cause complete blindness.

Spread of the Cancer:

A concerning possibility with eye melanoma is that it can spread beyond the eye. If this happens, the cancer can travel to other parts of the body, like the liver, lungs, and bones. This spread, called metastasis, is a serious complication that needs prompt medical attention.

Diagnosing Eye Melanoma: A Guide for Patients

Doctors use several methods to diagnose eye melanoma, a type of cancer that develops in the eye. These tests help determine if the suspicious area is indeed melanoma and if it has spread.

Visual Examinations and Imaging:

• Eye exam: Your doctor will first examine your eye, looking for signs like swollen blood vessels. They will use tools to look inside your eye. One method, called indirect ophthalmoscopy, uses a bright light and lenses to see the inside of the eye. Another method, called slit-lamp biomicroscopy, uses a microscope and a bright light to get a detailed view.

• Eye ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of the eye. A small, wand-like device (transducer) is placed on your eyelid or the front of your eye. This helps doctors see the structures inside.

• Angiography (imaging blood vessels): A special dye is injected into a vein in your arm. The dye travels to the blood vessels in your eye. A camera with special filters takes pictures of the dye's path. These pictures can reveal abnormal blood vessel patterns, which might indicate a tumor.

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): This test creates detailed images of the layers inside your eye, including the retina and the uvea (the middle layer of the eye). This helps pinpoint the location and extent of any suspected tumor.

Tissue Sample (Biopsy):

• Biopsy: Sometimes, a tiny piece of tissue (biopsy) from the suspicious area is needed to confirm the diagnosis. A thin needle is inserted into the eye to remove a small sample of the tissue. This sample is sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope to check for melanoma cells. A biopsy isn't always necessary.

Checking for Spread:

If eye melanoma is confirmed, additional tests may be done to see if it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. These additional tests might include:

• Blood tests: Checks for liver function, which can be affected if the cancer has spread.
• Chest X-ray: Looks for cancer in the lungs.
• CT (computed tomography) scan: Creates detailed cross-sectional images of the body, showing possible spread to other organs.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan: Provides detailed images of the body's soft tissues, helping to identify any spread.
• Abdominal ultrasound: Examines the organs in the abdomen for signs of cancer spread.
• PET (positron emission tomography) scan: Uses radioactive substances to detect active areas of the body, potentially highlighting cancer spread.

These tests work together to give doctors a complete picture of the eye melanoma and allow them to create a treatment plan.

Treating Eye Melanoma: Options and Considerations

The best treatment for eye melanoma depends on several factors: the size and location of the tumor, your overall health, and your preferences.

Watching and Waiting:

A small melanoma that isn't growing might not need immediate treatment. In this case, your doctor might recommend "watchful waiting," where you and your doctor monitor the melanoma for any signs of growth. If it grows or causes problems, treatment can be considered at that point.

Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy uses powerful energy (like protons or gamma rays) to kill cancer cells. It's often used for melanomas that are small to medium-sized.

• Brachytherapy: A tiny radioactive plaque, resembling a bottle cap, is placed directly on the tumor. The plaque contains radioactive seeds and stays in place for a few days before removal.
• External Beam Radiation (Teletherapy): A machine directs radiation beams, like proton beams, to the tumor. This treatment usually takes several days.

Other Treatment Options:

• Laser Therapy: A laser can be used to destroy the melanoma cells. One type, called thermotherapy, uses an infrared laser and is sometimes combined with radiation.
• Photodynamic Therapy: This combines medicine with a special light to make cancer cells more sensitive to light. The light damages the tumor cells and blood vessels. It's best suited for smaller melanomas.
• Cryotherapy: Using extreme cold to kill the melanoma cells. This method is less common.

Surgical Removal:

Surgery is another option for treating eye melanoma. The type of surgery depends on the size and location of the tumor.

• Partial Eye Removal: The melanoma and a small area of surrounding healthy tissue are removed. This is often an option for smaller melanomas.
• Enucleation (Full Eye Removal): This procedure is often used for larger tumors or if the tumor is causing pain. A special implant is placed in the eye socket. The muscles that controlled the eye are attached to the implant, allowing some movement. After healing, a custom-made artificial eye (prosthesis) is fitted to match your existing eye.

Adjusting to Vision Loss:

If treatment leads to vision loss in one eye, it's important to remember that most daily activities are still possible. However, it may take time to adapt to the change. Vision loss affects depth perception and awareness of things on the side of the lost vision. Support groups and occupational therapists can help you develop strategies for adjusting to these changes.