What is Eye cancer

Each year around 750 cases of eye cancer diagnosed in the UK. There are several types of cancer that affect the eyes, including:

Eye melanoma squamous cell carcinoma Lymphoma Retinoblastoma - a childhood cancer Cancer can sometimes also develop in the tissues around your eyeball or spread from other parts of the body, such as the lungs or breasts to the eye.

This topic focuses on melanoma of the eye, which is one of the most common types of eye cancer. The website Cancer Research UK has more information about various types of eye cancer.

Symptoms of eye cancer

Eye cancer does not always cause obvious symptoms and can only be picked up during a routine eye test.

Symptoms of eye cancer may include:

Shadows, flashes of light, or wiggly lines in your eyesBlurred visionA deep patch in your eye that is getting biggerPartial or total loss of vision1 eye bulgeA lump on your eyelid or in your eye that is growing in sizePain in or around your eye, although it is rareThese symptoms may also be caused by a smaller eye condition, so they are not a sign of cancer.

But it is important to get the symptoms checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Melanoma of the eye

Melanoma is cancer that increase from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Most melanomas develop in the skin, but can also occur in other parts of the body, including the eye.

Eye melanoma affects the eyeball the most. Surgeons sometimes call it choroidal or uveal melanoma; Depending on which part of your eye is affected.

It can also affect the conjunctiva the eyelid or (the thin layer that covers the front of the eye).

What causes eye melanoma?

Eye melanoma occurs when pigment-producing cells in the eye divide and grow very rapidly. This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumor.

It is unclear why this happens, but the following factors may increase the risk of it happening:

Light eye color - If you have blue, gray, or green eyes, you are at a higher risk of developing melanoma of the eyes than those who have eyes
White or pale skin - Melanoma of the eye affects mostly white people and is more common in people with fair skin.
Abnormal moles - If you have irregular shaped or abnormally colored moles, you are at risk of developing skin cancer and melanoma of the eye
Use of sunbeds - There is some evidence to suggest that exposing yourself to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, for example, may increase the risk of melanoma of the eye overexposure to sunlight - This increases your risk of skin cancer, and can also be a risk factor for melanoma of the eye.

The risk of developing eye melanoma also increases with age; with the majority of cases; being diagnosed in people in their 50s.

Read about other types of eye cancer risk factors on the Cancer Research UK website.

Diagnosis of melanoma of the eye

If your GP or optician (optometrist) suspects that you have a serious eye problem, they will refer you to an expert ophthalmologist for an evaluation.

If they suspect that you have melanoma of the eye, they will refer you to the specialist center for eye cancer.

There are 4 centers in the UK, located in London, Sheffield, Liverpool and Glasgow. It is possible that you will have several different tests at the center, including:

An eye exam - to look at your eye structures in more detail and check for abnormalities
Ultrasound scan of your eye - A small probe placed above your closed eye uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image inside your eye; This allows your doctor to find out more about the condition of the tumor and its size.
A fluorescein angiogram- where photographs of suspected blood; are injected into your bloodstream; after a dye using a special camera to expose the tumor.

Occasionally, a thin needle may be used; to remove a small sample of cells from a tumor (biopsy).

The genetic information in these cells; is analyzed to point out the likelihood of cancer spreading or coming up again.

Treatment for melanoma of the eye

Treatment for melanoma of the eye depends on the size and location of the tumor. Your care team will detail each treatment option, including the benefits and any potential complications. The aim of treatment will be to preserve the affected eye whenever possible.

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