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CancerÌýcan originate in any part of the body. TheÌýeyesÌýare no exception. Cancers that originate in theÌýeyeÌýare less common vis-a-vis many others. It is classified based on the type of cell it begins in. TheÌýeyeÌýcancerÌýseen most often is the intraocular melanoma.

Intraocular melanoma is a rareÌýcancerÌýthat forms inside theÌýeye. It causes melanocytes (cells that produce pigment, or color) to grow out of control. The disease can lead toÌývisionÌýchanges or loss. This type ofÌýeyeÌýcancerÌýusually starts in the choroid.

The three major parts of theÌýeyeÌýare the eyeball and the three main layers (retina, uvea and sclera), the orbit (tissues surrounding the eyeball) and adnexal (connected parts like thes eyelids and tear glands). Different types ofÌýeyeÌýcancerÌýcan occur in any of these parts.

The two types of intraocular cancers include primary (cancerÌýthat originates in theÌýeye) and secondary (when theÌýcancerÌýhas spread to theÌýeye, but started somewhere else).

The chief types of primary intraocular cancers include melanoma and non-Hodgkinº£½ÇÖ±²¥ lymphoma. In case of children, the most common intraocular cancers are Retinoblastoma (cancerÌýin cells of the retina) and haemangioma (a benign tumour of the choroid and retina that develops in the blood vessels).

Among the prominent forms of intraocular cancers,ÌýIntraocular melanomas are the most common form ofÌýeyeÌýcancerÌýamong adults. It is a condition of the melanocytes of theÌýeyeÌýdue to its exposure to a harmful skinÌýcancerÌýknown asÌý Ìýmelanoma. It can spread to the other parts of the body and affect other tissues in and around theÌýeye, including the iris, ciliary body, conjunctiva, and eyelids.

Some of the causes of Intraocular Melanoma are:

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýExposure to UV rays and tanning beds

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýSkin problems

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýAge Factor

Conjunctival melanomaÌýis a type ofÌýtumour that develops in the conjunctiva and if left untreated, may spread to the lymph nodes. There are chances of recurrence of thisÌýcancerÌýand may appear on the surface of theÌýeyeÌýin the form of a dark spot.

Symptoms of IntraocularÌýCancer

Unlike most other cancers, theÌýeyeÌýcancerÌýmay not show any obvious symptoms and are most likely discovered during a routineÌýeyeÌýcheck-up.

Some of the signs and symptoms of intraocularÌýcancerÌýare:

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýThe bulging of anÌýeye

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýPartial or complete loss ofÌývision

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýLump on the surface of theÌýeyeÌýand eyelids

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýBlurryÌývision

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýSoreness

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýChange in shape of the pupil

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýChanges in the appearance of theÌýeye

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýSeeing spots or flashes

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýA dark spot in the iris

–ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýChronic inflammation of the conjunctiva.

When theÌýcancerÌýhas spread to the outside or inside of theÌýeye, the patient may feel some pain. While these symptoms may be similar to otherÌýeyeÌýconditions, it is imperative to identify them and report them to the doctor. If the condition is diagnosed asÌýeyeÌýcancer, then an early detection will make it easier to treat it and ensure a successful treatment.

Treating the Intraocular Cancers

The determinants of the treatment plan include blood tests, the size and location of the tumour and the stage of theÌýcancer, the overall health of the person, and the ability to see with the normalÌýeye. The aim of the treatment plan is to save theÌýeyeÌýand check theÌýcancerÌýfrom spreading to other parts.

Since there are chances ofÌýeyeÌýdamage during the course of the treatment, doctors usually recommend to wait and watch if the tumour is growing. The treatments include surgical removal of the tumour and some small tissues surrounding the tumour, radiation, photocoagulation, or transpupillary thermotherapy (using heat to destroyÌýcancerÌýcells).

Things to remember

Intraocular melanoma is a rare form ofÌýcancerÌýthat affects theÌýeyeÌýand starts in the melanocytes of yourÌýeyes. Watch out for soreness in theÌýeye,ÌýblurryÌývision, or any floaters in theÌývision, and protect theÌýeyesÌýfrom UV rays. Wear sunglasses while stepping out in the sun. The symptoms may look like other problems, but it is always better to consult an expert before it is too late.

Dr. Prakash Bhagat, Surgical Oncologist, HCG – Abdur Razzaque AnsariÌýCancerÌýHospital – Ranchi.