What is the most common type of eye cancer?

Although it is rare among all cancers, the most common type of eye cancer in adults is melanoma. While these growths usually occur on the skin, melanomas can develop in any part of the body where cells contain the pigment melanin, including the choroid membrane in the back of your eye.

Frequently, choroidal melanomas that are allowed to enlarge will cause the retina to detach, leading to vision loss. These tumors can also spread to other parts of the body, especially the liver, after which they may become deadly.

Do all retinal tumors cause cancer?

No, not all retinal tumors cause cancer. Some of these tumors are benign, including:

• Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE), a flat, pigmented spot with a light gray or black color. CHRPE can become enlarged over time, but they are benign.
• Choroidal nevi, a flat pigmentation that appears as a small eye freckle. Like a mole on your skin, a choroidal nevus is benign but carries the potential to progress into melanoma.

How will you treat a benign eye tumor?

CHPRE is congenital: you were born with the lesion, and it will likely stay benign for the rest of your life. In the same vein, choroidal nevi are just freckles, and they carry the same cancer risk as a freckle on your skin. That said, any spot on your eye should be detected and monitored by an experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Parvus. CHRPEs in both eyes (or multiple in one eye) can be a signal for Gardner’s Syndrome, which can result in skin tumors and colon cancer, and choroidal nevi that are thicker than 2 mm carry a particular risk of developing into melanoma. Consistent monitoring can help catch cancer as early as possible, allowing us to remove the growth and greatly improve your prognosis.

How will you treat a cancerous eye tumor?

If we detect a melanoma on your eye, or a previously benign lesion becomes cancerous, you have several options for treatment depending on the size of the growth:

• Medium and large-sized choroidal melanomas can generally be treated with radiation therapy. The larger the tumor, the more radiation your treatment will require, increasing your risk of side-effects and damage to your vision. 
• Very large choroidal melanomas, particularly those that are 22 mm or larger, may require the removal of your eye, as radiation will be too harmful for the eye to withstand. 

At Infinity Retina, we will always do everything we can to preserve your eye and leave your vision as intact as possible.

How can I protect myself from eye cancer?

Researchers believe that, like skin cancer, eye cancers may be the result of excessive exposure to UV rays. That’s why protecting your eyes from cancer looks very similar to the way we protect your skin. Dr. Parvus recommends that her patients always wear sunglasses with appropriate UV protection.