Eye cancer is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of cells in the eye. Though the eye is not a usual spot for the development of cancer, it may start in or on the eye, on the iris and sometimes beneath the retina. It also may start off in the skin of cells around the eye (the eyelid). Most eye cancer patients do not have symptoms unless it is in advanced stages. Eye cancer can help decrease a person's eyesight, cause floaters or spots of vision, changes in visual field, an iris dark spot, eye bulging and change in the health of the eye socket. Pain is not common unless the cancer has spread.
Eye Health is Important
Diagnosis
An ophthalmologist will examine the eye and look for blood vessel enlargement, as this might show there is a tumor in the eye. The ophthalmologist will use an ophthalmoscope and a slit lamp to examine the eye and look at images. A biopsy is normally not needed to diagnose eye cancer. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays and MRIs can produce images to confirm the diagnosis of melanoma in the eye. Some of these tests can also help determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and help in the staging.
Stage I: Small Melanoma
According to the American Cancer Society, stage 1 small melanoma includes melanomas between 1 to 2.5 millimeters and not more than 10 millimeters wide. In stage I eye cancer, it has normally not spread to other tissues or areas of the body. About 84 percent of patients that have stage I melanoma are able to live for at least five years. Eye cancer at this stage is normally without symptoms and can only be detected through an eye scan.
Stage II: Medium Melanoma
This stage of cancer has tumors between 10 and 16 mm in diameter and less than 10 mm thick. They have not yet spread to the lymph nodes or other tissues. About 68 percent with this stage of cancer are able to survive more than five years. Symptoms include vision loss and spots in the vision.
Stage III: Large Melanoma
During Stage III melanoma, the cancer has usually spread outside the eyeball (Ref 1). Symptoms of large melanoma normally become more severe and the eye tumor may be bigger than 10 mm thick and 15 mm in diameter.
Stage IV: Metastasizing
A stage IV cancer is one that has spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Depending on the spread of the cancer the prognosis may differ. Approximately 15 percent of patients survive longer than five years.
Recurrent Eye Cancer
If eye cancer recurs, it means that cancer is no longer in remission. In some cases, eye cancer has spread to other areas of the body as well. Unfortunately, if eye cancer recurs, it may have developed a resistance to the other treatment options.
Treatment
While treating cancer, physicians have to consider different factors such as the current stage of cancer and the probability of saving vision. Numerous therapies are being employed for the treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, which are meant to stop the abnormal cell growth in the eye tissue. If eye cancer has caused vision impairment, the eye may need to be removed to prevent cancer from spreading.
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