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ocular melanoma is a good reason to protect your eyes
the primary type of eye cancer is ocular melanoma, which is difficult to detect because it presents few warning signs in its early stages and occurs in a part of the eye that can’t be seen by looking in a mirror.
the warning signs of eye cancer often only appear once tumours reach a size that causes changes to tissue or vision. getty
eye cancer is an umbrella term that describes many different types of tumours that can form in different areas of the eye. it occurs when cells in the eye undergo a change that causes them to behave abnormally, multiply rapidly and accumulate into masses called tumours. if these tumours are malignant, according to the cancer society, they can destroy nearby tissue and metastasize (or spread) to other areas of the body. these changes to the cells in the eye can also lead to precancerous conditions that may become cancerous if left untreated.
the most common type of primary eye cancer is known as eye (or ocular) melanoma. this form of the disease begins in the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin (a pigment that gives eyes, hair and skin their colour). eye melanoma is difficult to detect because it presents few warning signs in its early stages and occurs in a part of the eye that can’t be seen by looking in a mirror.
melanomas of the eye are rare and can be treated without any loss to vision if they are discovered early. if the melanoma is large or discovered late, however, some loss of vision may occur.
what are the symptoms of eye cancer?
the warning signs of eye cancer are difficult to detect early and often only appear once tumours reach a size that causes changes to tissue or vision. you should see your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: vision issues, including blurry vision or vision loss; seeing flashes of light or shadows; or seeing floaters (spots or squiggly lines in the field of vision); an unusual dark spot on the eye; a lump on the eye; bulging of the eye; changes in the size or shape of the pupil; persisting redness or irritation of the eye; or a change in the position of the eye in its socket
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how is eye cancer diagnosed?
doctors will usually begin with a full eye exam before making a diagnosis of eye cancer. this may be followed by more tests, according to bc cancer, including:
- ct scan (helps determine if the cancer has spread)
- ultrasound (detects ocular melanomas and some orbital tumours)
- ocular fundus colour photography (provides detailed photos of the eye)
- fluorescein angiography (uses a special dye to illuminate and investigate blood vessels in the eyes and tumours)
- mri (detects certain types of tumours and if the cancer has spread)
- biopsy (a small sample of tissue is surgically removed for inspection in a lab)
what is the treatment for eye cancer?
treatment varies depending on the type and severity of cancer and doctors may even leave smaller melanomas in place until they detect signs of growth. when required, treatment can include:
- surgery (doctors can remove the tumour or the eyeball itself depending on how far the cancer has spread)
- radiation therapy (high-powered energy is used to remove small to medium-sized tumours)
- cryotherapy (extreme cold is occasionally used to destroy smaller tumours)
one way to prevent eye cancer is limiting sun exposure
while there is no sure way to prevent eye cancer — or any other type of cancer — limiting exposure to the sun and wearing sunglasses and sunscreen can help mitigate risk, particularly among those with pale eyes or lighter skin.
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how many canadians develop eye cancer?
fortunately, eye cancer is extremely rare, only affecting an estimated 280 canadians (175 men and 105 women) in 2018. in 2020, roughly 65 canadians died from eye cancer (36 men and 29 women).
support and resources if you are living with eye cancer
for more information about eye cancer, including support services for the newly diagnosed, visit the canadian cancer society. on facebook, check out the eye cancer foundation’s eye cancer network.
dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.
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