About Eye Cancer

Eye cancer occurs when the cells in the eye turn cancerous. It can begin anywhere in the eye– the eyeball, tissues surrounding the eyeball, eyelids and tear glands. While melanoma is the most common eye cancer, other types include intraocular lymphoma, retinoblastoma, hemangioma, eyelid carcinoma, and lacrimal gland tumour.

Primary eye cancer begins in the eye, while secondary eye occurs when cancer cells travel to the eye from other sites like the lungs or the breast. Eye cancer treatment options depend upon the type, location and spread of cancer. Though the cause of eye cancer is unknown, some risk factors include increasing age, people with light coloured eyes, moles in the eye, and family history. The five-year survival rate of eye cancer or eye cancer life expectancy after five years of diagnosis stands at around 81%, giving it a good prognosis.

The early stages of eye cancer usually do not cause any symptoms. Some symptoms that may appear as eye cancer advances are:

 

  • Blurry or double vision.
  • Loss of a part of the visual field.
  • A dark spot on the eye that is growing.
  • Changing the position of the eyeball.
  • Bulging of the eye.
  • Seeing sudden flashes of light.
  • Loss of peripheral vision.
  • Redness or irritation in the eye (signs of conjunctivitis).
  • A pale lump on the eyelids or around the eye.
  • Partial or total loss of vision.

 

If you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, it is advisable to get them checked out by your doctor.

To diagnose eye cancer, you will need to undergo a few tests. The type of test you undergo will depend upon:

 

  • Type of cancer suspected.
  • Signs and symptoms.
  • Your age and overall health.

 

Some tests that may be recommended to diagnose eye cancer include:

  • Eye examination.
  • An ultrasound scan of the eye.
  • Fluorescein angiogram.
  • Biopsy using fine needle aspiration.

 

If your doctor suspects the spread of eye cancer, imaging tests like CT scan, PET scan or an MRI may be recommended. Based on your signs, symptoms and diagnostic test results, your doctor and healthcare team will determine how to treat eye cancer.

The standard eye cancer treatment options are– surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. 

 

  • Surgery is recommended to treat certain types of eye cancer, during which your doctor will try and preserve as much of your eye as possible. 
  • Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used for melanoma, lymphoma, lacrimal gland cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the eye. Radiation treatment can be internal or external, depending upon the type of eye cancer you have. This treatment may also be used in advanced stage 3 and stage 4 eye cancer.
  • Chemotherapy: This treatment uses potent drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is used in treating a few eye cancers that respond to it. Though many people worry about the side effects of chemotherapy and eye cancer, it is essential to know that all treatment have their pros and cons.

 

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are additional treatments that may be used to treat some types of eye cancer. 

Getting diagnosed with eye cancer can be scary, but you don’t have to do this alone! Feel free to communicate your worries and concerns with your doctor or healthcare team. If you are unsure about your diagnosis or need some clarity about your treatment plan, ask your doctor for a second opinion. Seeking a second opinion is recommended in your eye cancer treatment.

If you need any assistance in getting a second opinion on your eye cancer, contact us today!

Symptoms

Diagnosis

To diagnose eye cancer, you will need to undergo a few tests. The type of test you undergo will depend upon:

 

  • Type of cancer suspected.
  • Signs and symptoms.
  • Your age and overall health.

 

Some tests that may be recommended to diagnose eye cancer include:

  • Eye examination.
  • An ultrasound scan of the eye.
  • Fluorescein angiogram.
  • Biopsy using fine needle aspiration.

 

If your doctor suspects the spread of eye cancer, imaging tests like CT scan, PET scan or an MRI may be recommended. Based on your signs, symptoms and diagnostic test results, your doctor and healthcare team will determine how to treat eye cancer.

Treatment

The standard eye cancer treatment options are– surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. 

 

  • Surgery is recommended to treat certain types of eye cancer, during which your doctor will try and preserve as much of your eye as possible. 
  • Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used for melanoma, lymphoma, lacrimal gland cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the eye. Radiation treatment can be internal or external, depending upon the type of eye cancer you have. This treatment may also be used in advanced stage 3 and stage 4 eye cancer.
  • Chemotherapy: This treatment uses potent drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is used in treating a few eye cancers that respond to it. Though many people worry about the side effects of chemotherapy and eye cancer, it is essential to know that all treatment have their pros and cons.

 

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are additional treatments that may be used to treat some types of eye cancer. 

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