What is ocular melanoma?
Ocular melanoma is a form of cancer that affects melanin, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the body. Although it is a rare disease, it is the most common type of cancer that occurs in the eyes. It can also affect all parts of this organ, especially those less accessible for detection, which is why it is essential to have regular eye examinations. Its treatment will depend on the degree of development of the melanoma when it is detected, but there are mainly two types of treatment: radiation therapy, which aims to stop the growth of the melanoma or, if possible, to eliminate it; ocular melanoma surgery, by which the tumor is removed, unless it is too large (which would require a complete removal of the eye, placing an implant in its place).
Prognosis of ocular melanoma
The prognosis for a person affected by ocular melanoma will be different depending on the characteristics of the tumor, type and stage of melanoma progression. In cases in which it is diagnosed in its less advanced stage, the probability of survival will be around 100%. On the contrary, if the melanoma is diagnosed at an advanced stage, the percentage will be exponentially reduced. Precisely for this reason it is necessary to prevent melanoma by making regular follow-up visits to the ophthalmologist.
A correct diagnosis in the early stages of melanoma can ensure the patient’s survival.
Symptoms of ocular melanoma
There is a possibility that ocular melanoma may have no cause and no symptoms, however at other times the following signs and symptoms may appear:
- A black spot that progressively increases in size in the iris area.
- Experiencing the sensation of observing flashing lights.
- Pupil changes shape. Progressive loss of peripheral vision.
- The patient may see flashes or specks of dust in the vision, also called floaters.
Medical tests for ocular melanoma
There are different tests to diagnose this disease. The ophthalmologist may recommend some of the following:
- Eye exam: the ophthalmologist will look at the outside of the patient’s eye for swollen blood vessels that may be a symptom of a tumor in the eye. Then, with the help of other devices, the specialist will examine the inside of the eye.
- Ultrasound of the eye: This test uses high-frequency sound waves from a portable wand-shaped device called a transducer, which reflects images of the eye. This device is placed on the closed eyelid or on the front surface of the eyeball.
- Images of the blood vessels in the tumor and nearby areas: through this procedure, known as eye angiography, a colored dye is injected into a blood vessel in the arm. This dye reaches the veins of the eye and once there, a camera with its own filters detects the dye and takes pictures for several minutes.
- Taking a tissue sample from the eye for analysis: Sometimes the ophthalmologist may decide to take a biopsy from the eye. Using a fine needle in the eye, tissue suspected of ocular melanoma is removed. The tissue is then taken to a laboratory to be tested for ocular melanoma cells.
What causes ocular melanoma?
Researchers have acknowledged that the causes of ocular melanoma are unclear. Specialists have concluded that it manifests itself when there is an error in the DNA of healthy eye cells. These errors cause the mutated cells to continue living when they should die instead. The mutated cells concentrate in one of the eyes and ocular melanoma occurs.
Can it be prevented?
Currently there is no 100% certainty that it can be prevented. There are theories that indicate that it can originate after prolonged exposure to the sun, but this lacks credibility since there are no studies that link these two factors. Even so, the use of sunglasses and exposure to the sun between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. can be detrimental to eye health. It is advisable to visit the ophthalmologist at least once a year in order to detect the disease in its early stages.
Treatments for ocular melanoma
The treatment of ocular melanoma depends on the site and size of the melanoma, as well as the patient’s preferences and health status. Ocular melanoma can be treated in the following ways. Waiting to treat small ocular melanomas: Sometimes small ocular melanomas do not need immediate treatment. As long as the melanoma is small and does not increase in size, your doctor may recommend waiting until symptoms of growth are detected.
- Surgery: Surgery is one of the most commonly used resources for the treatment of ocular melanoma. It allows the removal of part of the eye or a procedure to remove the eye completely.
- Radiation therapy: This technique uses high-powered energy sources, such as protons or gamma rays, to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is used for small to medium-sized ocular melanomas.
- Laser treatment: sometimes a treatment based on the use of a laser is used with the aim of destroying the melanoma cells. Thermotherapy uses an infrared laser that is sometimes combined with radiation therapy.
- Cold treatments: cryotherapy is used to destroy the cells of the smallest ocular melanomas, although this treatment is the least used of all those described.
Which specialist treats it?
The ophthalmologist is the specialist who treats ocular melanoma. At Top Doctors you have the best medical staff that adapts to all your needs and offers you individual and specialized treatment.