There are several types of cancer in the vicinity of the eye. Intraocular melanoma is the most common, and occurs in the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea. Lymphoma of the eye, also known as ocular lymphoma, can also develop in the uvea and in the jelly-like vitreous. Both types of cancer usually affect both eyes, and symptoms can include blurred vision, pain, floaters, and sensitivity to light.
Various types of radiation therapy are available. Low-dose radiation therapy can kill tumor cells while targeted therapy can shrink tumors. Some cancer therapies may also include a special procedure called plaque therapy. This involves attaching a small radioactive disk to the eye near the tumor, which may require sedation. The disk will remain in the eye for a few days. Transpupillary thermotherapy is another treatment method that uses heat to kill cancer cells. This procedure is more effective than surgery or radiation, and it usually has fewer side effects.
Treatment options for cancer near the eye vary depending on the location and size of the tumor. Small tumors may not cause much problem, but if it is larger than 10 millimeters or three millimeters, a doctor may recommend surgery. Depending on the size of the tumor, the surgeon may remove part of the eye, or remove the entire eye. Treatment for cancer near the eye may also include radiation therapy, where high-energy X-ray beams are focused on the cancer. The treatment can help kill the cancer cells without damaging healthy cells nearby.
Patients with a family history of eye cancer may be at increased risk for the disease. Taking a comprehensive eye exam by a trained physician is crucial for diagnosing cancer near the eye. Your doctor may use a silt lamp to examine the eye with a narrow light. Another option is an indirect ophthalmoscope, which gives the doctor a wide view of inside the eye. If you have a mass near the eye, your doctor may be able to detect it using a microscope, which is called an indirect ophthalmoscope. This method can also detect tumors in the eye.
If your doctor notices cancer near the eye, you may have a secondary cancer. Secondary cancers are not the same as primary eye cancer, but they can occur in the eye and are often less aggressive. These types of cancer are known as metastasis, and they are not treated the same way as primary eye cancer. Symptoms and treatment may be different, but it’s still important to seek medical attention. It’s important to remember that your doctor will treat cancer in the eye as soon as possible.
There are many types of cancers that affect the eye, and some of them are benign. Most of the time, benign tumors will not spread outside the eye. Cancer that develops inside the eyeball is called intraocular malignancy. This type of cancer usually appears as a white nodule on the eye’s surface, usually on the front of the eye. It may also develop from exposure to too much sunlight. You may have to undergo surgical treatment in order to cure the disease.
