Eye Cancer: Intraocular Melanoma - Maximed Turkey

Eye Cancer: Intraocular Melanoma

An eye cancer that does not spread to other organs in the body is called intraocular melanoma. It is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is different from other types of non-melanoma skin cancers. There are three different types of intraocular melanomas:

Intraocular melanocytic naevus: which can be found on the iris or ciliary body, and rarely on the retina. This type of intraocular melanoma can occur at any age and appears as a dome-shaped mole with irregular borders and a diameter greater than 5 centimetres (2 inches).

Intraocular malignant melanoma: which accounts for less than 1% of all intraocular tumors. Usually occurs in the central portion of the retina. It is considered aggressive and can spread to the central nervous system (CNS), optic nerves, and chiasm.

The signs and symptoms of this form of intraocular melanoma include blurred vision or blindness, loss of peripheral vision or double vision, plus headache and sensitivity to light. Eventually, the signs may progress to a tumor that grows from a new location inside the eye.

Extrachromosomal melanocytes: a type of intraocular melanoma that may appear on any part of the retina or optic nerve. This form is called extrachromosomal melanocytic naevus(EXCMN).

Pigmented intraocular melanoma is rare in adults, with less than 200 cases reported worldwide. It occurs most commonly in children under the age of 16. The disease is more common in dark-skinned people than in Caucasians. As the name implies, this type of melanoma originates in melanocytes, which are cells that produce pigment (melanin).

If these cells become cancerous and spread to the limbal region, they will produce the darkly coloured pigment that can be seen on examination by an eye doctor or ophthalmologist. When pigmented intraocular melanomas occur between the iris and lens (in the uveal tract), they are called uveal tract melanomas.

How does Intraocular Melanoma grow?

Melanoma cells do not usually spread to other organs in the body. The type of melanoma that originates in the eye and does not grow into other organs is called intraocular melanoma. It contains certain proteins and cell markers that cause cancer to be more aggressive than other types of non-melanoma eye cancers and it may spread to surrounding tissues, such as the choroid, ciliary body, and/or optic nerve.

There are varying degrees of intraocular melanomas, ranging from benign (skin-like) lesions that rarely threaten vision to invasive (malignant) tumors that often threaten vision.

What are the Symptoms of Intraocular Melanoma?

Intraocular melanoma is a form of cancer that starts in the eye, usually on the macula or other parts of the eye. It can be either benign or malignant.

Some signs and symptoms people may notice are:

·    Dry eyes

·    Nausea and vomiting

·    Blurry vision

·    Pain when you blink

·    Sensitivity to light, especially at night.

A person may experience any one symptom, several different symptoms, or even all of them at once. If you have any concerns about your eyesight that don't go away through rest or medication, you should visit your doctor to get an exam for intraocular melanoma.

How is Intraocular Melanoma diagnosed?

A type of intraocular melanoma that occurs on the surface of the iris on or near the pupil has a distinct appearance under an ophthalmoscopic examination. It appears as a dome-shaped mass with an irregular margin and a diameter greater than 5 mm.

A type of intraocular melanoma on the choroid has more obvious signs and symptoms, such as pain (from pressure inside the eye), especially when you blink or look into bright lights. It can affect your vision, which might become blurry or dim. Your doctor may also notice an abnormal color of light reflected through your pupil during your exam.

What is the prognosis for intraocular melanoma?

When melanoma is found and treated early, it has a good prognosis. There are three grades of intraocular melanoma:

Grade 1: Mildest. It grows slowly and has a good prognosis.

Grade 2: Moderately aggressive and grows faster than grade 1. It may spread to nearby tissues. Grade 2 melanomas generally respond well to treatment with chemotherapy, but sometimes require radiation therapy as well to eliminate them from the eye.

Grade 3: Aggressive and fast-growing tumors that grow into nearby tissues such as the optic nerve or choroid, causing vision loss or blindness if not treated immediately.

What are the treatment options for intraocular melanoma?

Treatment options for intraocular melanoma will be determined by your ophthalmologist and may include observation, radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Each has advantages and disadvantages that should be discussed carefully with your doctor. It is important to note that there is no established treatment protocol for this disease and no single approach works in all cases.