Eye Melanoma Cancer
Eye Melanoma Cancer Causes
The cause of eye melanoma cancer is currently unknown. However, some scientists believe that the disease may result from a number of genetic factors, although no sufficient proof exists to support this theory.
Eye Melanoma Cancer Definition
Eye melanoma cancer is a disease affecting the cells in the eyes that produce melanin. It affects the frontal area of the uvea, particularly in the iris and ciliary body, as well as in the back portion of the uvea, particularly in the choroids layer. Melanoma is more commonly associated with skin cancer; however, it can also develop in an individual's eyes, as in the case of eye melanoma cancer. It may occur in the form of a primary eye cancer, which means that the melanoma originated in the eye; or as a secondary eye cancer, in which the melanoma has spread to the eye from some other part of the body.
Eye Melanoma Cancer Diagnosis
A regular eye exam by an ophthalmologist is often the first step eye melanoma cancer diagnosis. The external part of the eye is usually examined to determine enlarged vessels that indicate the presence of a tumor. After which, an ophthalmoscopy is done to examine the inside of the eye using lenses and bright lights. As an alternative, a biomicroscopy may also be done, wherein a special microscope is used to illuminate the eye's interior. In cases where examining the interior of the eye does not support a definite diagnosis, further evaluation may be done in the form of standard imaging tests such as an eye ultrasound or angiograophy.
Eye Melanoma Cancer Symptoms and Signs
While some cases of eye melanoma cancer are asymptomatic in most cases, most patients typically experience a certain blurring or dark spot in their vision, as well as a sensation of sudden light flashes. A change in the color of the iris, particularly an expanding dark spot, is indicative of this disease. Other signs of eye melanoma include: loss of peripheral vision, the appearance of squiggles or floaters in one's field of vision, blurry vision in one eye, plus pain and reddening of the affected eye.
Eye Melanoma Cancer Treatment
Eye melanoma cancer can be treated using surgery to remove the melanoma. Depending on the location and/or severity of the melanoma, surgical options available for affected patients are: iridectomy (in which only a part of the iris is removed), iridotrabeculectomy (in which part of the iris plus surrounding tissue are removed), iridocyclectomy (in which part of the iris plus ciliary body are removed), choroidectomy (in which part of the choroids is removed), and enucleation (in which the entire eye is removed).