Uveal melanoma (choroidal melanoma)
Uveal melanoma is the most common eye tumor in adults. This malignant tumor grows from the pigment cells of the choroid, and its other name is choroidal melanoma. The insidious nature of this disease is that it often goes undetected for a long time, so our specialists detect this tumor in its early stages and select treatment that preserves vision.
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Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but certain conditions are known to increase the risk. Choroidal melanoma occurs more often in people with light-colored irises and specific pigment cells; this tumor is sometimes referred to as eye cancer.
Age Factors
The risk of developing the disease increases with age, peaking after age fifty. This tumor is rare in children and young adults.
Genetic Predisposition
Hereditary traits and mutations in choroidal cells play a role. Certain syndromes and family history increase susceptibility to the disease.
Other Possible Risk Factors
The influence of fair skin, sun exposure, and chronic changes in the fundus are discussed. A direct link has not been proven for all factors, but their combination merits consideration.
Symptoms of uveal melanoma
Manifestations depend on the location and size of the lesion, and in the early stages they may not be present at all. The first symptoms of uveal melanoma are often noticed incidentally, during an examination for another reason.
Vision Impairment
One of the early signs is a gradual decrease in visual acuity or image distortion. The tumor presses on the retina, affecting visual function.
Spots and flashes before the eyes
Patients describe a dark spot in their field of vision, flashes of light, and floaters. These can be signs of ocular melanoma, so these sensations are a reason to see a specialist rather than wait.
Pain and other manifestations
Pain appears late, when the lesion is large or intraocular pressure increases. Redness and a feeling of fullness in the eye are less common.
Many complaints are nonspecific, but their persistent combination should not be ignored. It's worth making an appointment with a specialist if you experience the following symptoms:
- Decreased visual acuity
- Appearance of a dark spot in the field of vision
- Flashes of light before the eyes
- Image distortion
- Appearance of floaters
- Discomfort or pain in the eye
Early diagnosis is crucial, so don't delay a visit to an ophthalmic oncologist.
General information
Diagnosis of Uveal Melanoma
A combination of precise methods, rather than a single test, helps diagnose the disease. Diagnosis of uveal melanoma begins with an examination and includes ultrasound, tomography, and assessment of its extent; essentially, it represents the state-of-the-art in eye tumor diagnosis.
Ophthalmological Examination
The doctor examines the fundus of the eye using ophthalmoscopy and assesses the size and boundaries of the lesion. Ophthalmoscopy is often the first method of detecting a tumor.
Ultrasound of the Eye
Ultrasound reveals the height and structure of the lesion and helps distinguish melanoma from other lesions. It is an accessible and safe method for eye examination.
Optical Coherence Tomography
OCT provides a high-resolution, layered image of the retina and choroid. This method helps assess the impact of the lesion on surrounding tissue.
Angiography and other imaging methods
Angiography shows the blood supply to the lesion, and MRI is used if necessary. These data clarify the nature of the lesion and its boundaries.
Assessing the spread of the process
To rule out metastases, the liver and other organs are examined using ultrasound and CT. Assessing the tumor process determines the stage and treatment strategy, as a malignant eye tumor can produce metastases.
Benefits of contacting a specialized center
Vision tumors are managed by a team: an ophthalmic oncologist, a radiation therapist, and an oncologist work together. In our practice, the patient undergoes the entire process in one place:
- Complete diagnostics and second opinion
- Organ-preserving techniques when indicated
- Decision made at an interdisciplinary consultation
- Monitoring according to clinical guidelines
This format saves time and increases the chances of preserving vision.
Doctor's quote:
"Early diagnosis of uveal melanoma is of great importance in our practice. Modern imaging methods allow us to detect the tumor in its early stages and select an individualized treatment strategy based on the patient's clinical situation and vision preservation goals," — oncologist, ocular tumor specialist.
Answers to frequently asked questions
We've collected what people ask most often.
What is uveal melanoma?
What symptoms may indicate uveal melanoma?
What diagnostic methods are used?
Can an eye with uveal melanoma be saved?
References
- Clinical Guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
- Clinical Guidelines Index of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
- RMJ Portal (Russian Medical Journal)
- CyberLeninka (scientific publications on ophthalmic oncology)
- Scientific Electronic Library eLIBRARY
- Federal Electronic Medical Library
- Russian Society of Clinical Oncology (RUSSCO)
- MSD Manual (Russian version)
- National Medical Research Center of Oncology (scientific materials)
- PubMed (Russian-language reviews and materials available through publications by Russian authors)
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What is uveal melanoma?
This is an intraocular tumor that develops from melanocytes—the pigment cells of the uveal tract. This type of ocular oncology is an aggressive oncological disease, and the malignant tumor itself is capable of metastasizing. In ophthalmology, it is considered the most common intraocular tumor in adults.
What structures of the eye are affected by the tumor?
The uveal tract consists of three parts: the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid—the vascular membrane itself. The lesion most often occurs in the choroid, which is why this form is called choroidal melanoma; less commonly, the iris or ciliary body are affected.
Characteristics of the disease?
The main characteristic is its latent course: the tumor in the eye grows for a long time without pain or noticeable symptoms. Uveal melanoma grows inside the visual organ, rather than on the surface like some forms of ocular melanoma, and requires a separate approach.