Lymph nodes carry waste away from the body and are located all over the body. Depending on where the cancer is, the tumor may appear as a dark spot on the eye or as a tumor in the uvea, a tissue layer that covers the inside of the eye.
Radiation is another treatment option for cancers near the eye. It works by destroying cancer cells with high-energy X-ray beams. Treatments must be repeated for a certain period of time. Some cancers are so large that the eye must be removed. Radiation can also kill cancer cells by damaging healthy cells around the eye. This treatment option should be avoided if it is possible to remove the tumor while maintaining vision.
Treatment for cancers of the eyelid begins with surgery. Sometimes, radiation therapy can be used as a second treatment. Typically, radiation is used on the lower eyelids. To determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed. About 30 percent of patients have tumors in lymph nodes. In such cases, they may require additional treatment with radiation or surgery. If the tumor is too large to be removed by surgery, treatment may include chemotherapy.
Depending on the type of cancer, screening for cancer of the eye may involve a variety of different tests. Your healthcare provider will check for movement and vision. If there’s a suspicious growth on your eyelid, he or she may perform an exam that involves using a magnifying glass and lens to look inside. Your healthcare provider may also perform imaging tests such as an MRI or ultrasound to determine the presence of cancer. Eventually, he or she will recommend surgery.
A tumor near the eye can be detected during a routine visit to an eye doctor. An eye tumor may look like a dark spot on the iris. While most eye tumors are benign, others may turn cancerous. In such a case, the tumor may affect your vision. If a tumor is cancerous, your vision will be affected, and your doctor will recommend another treatment if it is not visible. The most important thing to do is be proactive and get checked as soon as possible.
An ophthalmologist specializes in eye disorders and can diagnose cancer near the eye. This doctor will examine you and discuss your symptoms, including the risk factors and any family history. An MRI may also show if the cancer has spread outside the eye. Another test may involve angiography, which involves injecting a dye into a blood vessel in the arm. Pictures of the eye are taken while the dye moves through it. The results from the angiography may show a tumor or cancer cells.
If a tumor is small, it may be difficult to detect, but a physician can take photographs and follow the growth of the cancer to determine if it is cancerous. Occasionally, a doctor will recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis before any treatment can begin. The biopsy can be done in a doctor’s office or in the operating room. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a treatment plan will be formulated. Treatment options can include Wedge resection, Moh’s surgery, and other techniques.
