Most people don’t think about the fact that cancers near the eye can occur on the face, but cancers of this region are common. The cancerous growths are actually squamous cells that develop on the skin. Although they typically do not spread much, they can sometimes affect nearby organs and lymph nodes. The best thing to remember is that cancers of this type seldom begin in the eye’s lacrimal gland, which is responsible for producing tears and other fluids.
Surgical or nonsurgical treatments are available for cancers near the eye. Radiation therapy is one option that may help with these tumors. Using a narrow beam of infrared light, a laser can heat up the tumor and shrink it. However, this treatment is not effective for intraocular lymphoma or eye melanoma. Transpupillary thermotherapy usually has fewer side effects than radiation and surgery.
Despite the fact that some cancers can be treated with surgical procedures, it’s important to know that surgery can result in vision loss. Surgery is not a cure for cancers of the eye. A tumor near the eye can cause vision loss, so it’s important to get checked regularly. You may need more than one type of treatment for eye cancer. Your doctors will discuss your treatment options with you so that you’ll get the best results.
Most skin cancers of the eyelid are treated with surgical excision. This is a highly effective treatment for most nonmelanoma skin cancers in this area. Dermatologists use a surgical technique called Mohs surgery to remove the cancer. This procedure involves several stages and a patient waits between each stage. The surgeon removes cancer cells from the tumor margin using a microscope. The surgeon then carefully examines the margins of the tumor under a microscope, and takes additional tissue from the surrounding healthy tissue. Repeated removal of the tumors is required until no cancer cells are left. Mohs surgery has a high cure rate and leaves a minimal scar.
Cancer of the eye can occur in both children and adults. Retinoblastoma is a rare form of childhood cancer that begins in the retina. When it spreads from the eye, it can destroy nearby tissues. It can even spread to other parts of the body. Other cancers of the eye are benign and are not life-threatening. While they are rare, they can still result in vision problems and other health complications.
Treatment for cancer near the eye depends on the size of the tumor. Small tumors may not pose a great threat to the eye, but if the cancer grows bigger than three or 10 millimeters, doctors may recommend surgery. They may remove part of the eye or the entire eye. Some patients may need radiation therapy or surgery. If the cancer is in the lymph nodes, the radiation may be combined with chemotherapy. Depending on the location of the cancer, radiation therapy may be used to kill the cancer cells and preserve the eye.
A secondary form of eye cancer, or uveal melanoma, requires a special diagnosis. A secondary form of cancer that starts in another organ and then spreads, or metastasizes, may appear as lesions in the eye. An elevated fluid collection under the retina may also be a sign of ocular melanoma. A cancer near the eye can be painful and causing blurred vision.
