external radiotherapy – a machine is used to carefully aim beams of radiation at the tumour to kill the cancerous cells.brachytherapy – tiny plates lined with radioactive material called plaques are inserted near the tumour and left in place for up to a week to kill the cancerous cells.The main treatments for eye melanoma are: Treatment will aim to conserve the affected eye whenever possible. Your care team will explain each treatment option in detail, including the benefits and any potential complications. Treatment for melanoma of the eye depends on the size and location of the tumour. Occasionally, a thin needle may be used to remove a small sample of cells from the tumour (biopsy). The genetic information in these cells is analysed to give an indication of the chances of the cancer spreading or coming back. a fluorescein angiogram – where photographs of the suspected cancer are taken using a special camera after dye has been injected into your bloodstream to highlight the tumour.an ultrasound scan of your eye – a small probe placed over your closed eye uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your eye this allows your doctor to find out more about the position of the tumour and its size.an eye examination – to look at the structures of your eyes in more detail and check for abnormalities.It's likely you'll have a number of different tests at the centre, including: There are 4 centres in the UK, located in London, Sheffield, Liverpool, and Glasgow. If they suspect you have melanoma of the eye, they'll refer you to a specialist centre for eye cancer. If your GP or optician (optometrist) suspects you have a serious problem with your eyes, they will refer you to a specialist eye doctor called an ophthalmologist for an assessment. Read about the risk factors for other types of eye cancer on the Cancer Research UK website. The risk of developing eye melanoma also increases with age, with most cases being diagnosed in people in their fifties. overexposure to sunlight – this increases your risk of skin cancer, and may also be a risk factor for eye melanoma.use of sunbeds – there's some evidence to suggest that exposing yourself to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunbeds, for example, can increase your risk of eye melanoma.unusual moles – if you have irregularly shaped or unusually coloured moles, you're more at risk of developing skin cancer and eye melanoma.white or pale skin – eye melanoma mostly affects white people and is more common in those with fair skin.lighter eye colour – if you have blue, grey or green eyes, you have a higher risk of developing eye melanoma compared with people who have brown eyes.It's not clear exactly why this occurs, but the following factors may increase the risk of it happening: This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumour. What causes eye melanoma?Įye melanoma occurs when the pigment-producing cells in the eyes divide and multiply too rapidly. It can also affect the conjunctiva, the thin layer that covers the front of the eye, or the eyelid. Doctors sometimes call it uveal or choroidal melanoma, depending on exactly which part of your eye is affected. Most melanomas develop in the skin, but it's also possible for them to occur in other parts of the body, including the eye.Įye melanoma most commonly affects the eyeball. Melanoma is cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. However, it's important to get the symptoms checked by a doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms can also be caused by more minor eye conditions, so they're not necessarily a sign of cancer. pain in or around your eye, although this is rare. ![]() a lump on your eyelid or in your eye that's increasing in size. ![]()
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