Different Types Of Eye Cancer
There are different types of cancer that affect various internal and external parts of the eye, although all these cancers are quite uncommon. Some of these are chloridal melanoma, iris melanocytoma, sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid and iris melanoma are some known eye cancers. Here, we will be discussing ocular or intraocular melanoma, a very rare type of cancer that affects the inside of the eyeball.
What is eye cancer?
Intraocular melanoma is a rare cancer but the most common type of eye cancer that affects adults. Malignancy in the iris is the most common type of intraocular cancer. This cancer is seen on an average of 5.3-10.9 out of a million people, with the average being 4.3 per million people in the United States.
This type of cancer originates most commonly in the choroid, sometimes in the ciliary body and very rarely in the iris. Malignancy in the iris usually has the best prognosis, with the choroid malignancy being the worst, since they are located in the posterior portion of the eye and are not easily detected.
Signs and symptoms of eye cancer
This type of cancer is usually quite painless and has very few, if any, outward symptoms. Symptoms normally appear only in the later stages of this type of cancer. Some symptoms usually seen in patients with this type of malignancy are:
According to research and studies conducted over the years by experts from all over the world, this type of cancer seems to affect people with certain characteristics.
People with these physical characteristics seem to be affected more frequently with intraocular melanoma. Men seem to be affected with this type of melanoma more than women. Occurrence of this cancer goes up as people age, with the peak being somewhere around 70 years.
Treatment options for eye cancer
Treatment options depend on the prognosis and to what extent the cancer has grown. Some treatment options that may be suggested are:
If diagnosed and treated early on, there is a good chance that vision can be completely restored in the affected eye. Even advanced cancers may be treated such that you retail at least partial vision.
There are different types of cancer that affect various internal and external parts of the eye, although all these cancers are quite uncommon. Some of these are chloridal melanoma, iris melanocytoma, sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid and iris melanoma are some known eye cancers. Here, we will be discussing ocular or intraocular melanoma, a very rare type of cancer that affects the inside of the eyeball.
What is eye cancer?
Intraocular melanoma is a rare cancer but the most common type of eye cancer that affects adults. Malignancy in the iris is the most common type of intraocular cancer. This cancer is seen on an average of 5.3-10.9 out of a million people, with the average being 4.3 per million people in the United States.
This type of cancer originates most commonly in the choroid, sometimes in the ciliary body and very rarely in the iris. Malignancy in the iris usually has the best prognosis, with the choroid malignancy being the worst, since they are located in the posterior portion of the eye and are not easily detected.
Signs and symptoms of eye cancer
This type of cancer is usually quite painless and has very few, if any, outward symptoms. Symptoms normally appear only in the later stages of this type of cancer. Some symptoms usually seen in patients with this type of malignancy are:
- Distorted vision
- Flashes of light
- Dark spots on the iris and loss of field of vision
- Lots of floaters in the eye
- Deteriorating vision
Diagnosing this type of cancer is quite difficult, especially in the early stages, since it shows no outward symptoms nor causes any pain.
According to research and studies conducted over the years by experts from all over the world, this type of cancer seems to affect people with certain characteristics.
- Caucasians
- Very fair skin
- Ability to tan
- Light colored eyes
People with these physical characteristics seem to be affected more frequently with intraocular melanoma. Men seem to be affected with this type of melanoma more than women. Occurrence of this cancer goes up as people age, with the peak being somewhere around 70 years.
Treatment options for eye cancer
Treatment options depend on the prognosis and to what extent the cancer has grown. Some treatment options that may be suggested are:
- Surgery
- Internal or external Radiotherapy
- Transpupillary Thermotherapy (TTT)
If diagnosed and treated early on, there is a good chance that vision can be completely restored in the affected eye. Even advanced cancers may be treated such that you retail at least partial vision.
