Eye Cancer

Summary

Eyes are sensory organs that detect light (the basis of our vision). The eye is a very complex structure made up of several layers and surrounding features. Melanomas, carcinomas, lymphomas and retinoblastomas are types of cancer that can affect the eye.

Melanoma of the eye is referred to as ocular melanoma. The most common type of ocular melanoma in adults is uveal melanoma, which can involve one or more eye structures. The uveal tract comprises the iris (the colored circle of tissue surrounding the pupil that controls the amount of light entering the eye), the ciliary body (helps focus the eye), and the choroid (the lining that provides oxygen and nourishment to the eye ball).

The most important risk for ocular melanoma is atypical mole syndrome (aka dysplastic naevus syndrome). Other risk factors include age (over 50), race (occurs more frequently in Caucasians), personal history (previous diagnosis of ocular melanoma), exposure to UVA and UVB radiation (sunlight), and exposure to certain chemicals. Symptoms include blurred, decreased, double, or loss of vision. Patients may see light or dark spots, lines, floating objects, or flashes of light.

Preventive measures

Although no method has been proven to prevent eye cancers, the American Cancer Society recommends limiting exposure to intense sunlight due to the association between sunlight and melanomas of the skin. Covering oneself with hats and UV-protected sunglasses during prolonged periods under the sun is strongly recommended. Wrap-around sunglasses with strong UVA and UVB absorption are known to provide the best protection for eyes and surrounding areas.

Screening

Because melanomas of the eye are rare, there is no screening test available other than a routine eye exam with an ophthalmologist (specialist trained in eye diseases and surgery). Have an ophthalmologist examine any dark spot on the iris, especially if you notice it enlarging.

Diagnostic Process

Ocular melanoma and other abnormalities can be diagnosed by thorough examination of the inside the eye with an ophthalmoscope. Usually this examination alone is enough to make the diagnosis, which is then confirmed using imaging tests such as an ultrasound. Ultrasound is a common test that bounces high frequency sound waves off the suspected tumor, thus producing patterns for physicians to read. Diagnoses of ocular melanoma are confirmed in more than 80% of cases after an ultrasound. A follow-up biopsy is rarely needed.

Tests

Treatments

Advanced Science & Research

Clinical Trials

We are actively participating in clinical trials and research for our cancer patients. Newly developed treatments or investigational drugs may reduce tumor size and eliminate symptoms better than treatments currently available.

Patients are asked if they would like to participate in our clinical trials to evaluate new cancer prevention and treatment choices. Participation is completely voluntary. Ask the doctor about clinical trials at your visit.

See the patient information on Clinical Trials at the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. Additional information is available for medical professionals.  For more information about ongoing clinical trials at the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, please call us toll-free at 1-866-LSU-FWCC (578-3922) or (318) 813-1410.

Cancer Support Group

The Feist Weiller Cancer Center offers two patient support groups, meeting once a week, for all types of cancer. For more information about these two support groups, please call:

Jo Ann Stewart, RN at (318) 813-1409
Susie Wiggins, RN at (318) 813-1417
Ron Nierman at (318) 470-6180

Genetic Testing and Counseling 

Almost all of us have known someone with cancer, be it a colleague, friend, or family member. For many, these acquaintances are few, and family occurrences sporadic, but for some families, cancer appears to have a much higher prevalence and may be passed throughout many generations. Our expanding knowledge regarding the hereditary aspect of cancer has enabled genetic counselors, nurses, and physicians to provide risk counseling to patients; and advances in genetics have allowed us to develop tests that help to pinpoint this hereditary risk. 

At the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, the Hereditary Cancer Risk Assesment Program performs an initial cancer risk assessment for all patients by recording a complete family history and creating a pedigree in which all affected relatives are shown. If the patient has a positive family history of cancer, he or she is referred for genetic counseling in order to determine if genetic testing is the next appropriate step. Once genetic testing is completed, patients receive an additional counseling session in which results are disclosed and discussed. If a patient tests positively for a given mutation, specific surveillance and preventive options, as well as additional genetic testing for other family members, are discussed.

If a genetic mutation is detected in at-risk individual, which predisposes him to development of a hereditary cancer syndrome, this information is crucial in guiding the future medical and surgical management of this individual. In addition, certain hereditary cancers have unique behaviors at both a clinical and molecular level, and detection of specific mutations may help to guide therapy for these types of cancer. Discovery of a mutation specific for a hereditary cancer syndrome is not only helpful in guiding future management of that individual, but it also provides useful information about disease risk in other family members, and also the risk of the affected individual passing the mutation to his or her unborn offspring.