Ocular Melanoma

Ocular melanoma is an extremely rare form of cancer that affects the eye with an incidence of 5 per million adults. Although rare, it is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults. Primary means that the cancer began at that site (in this case the eye) and did not spread there from another part of the body.

In most people, this cancer arises in a part of the eye known as the uveal tract. The uveal tract is the colored (pigmented) layer of tissue that is found beneath the white of the eye (sclera) and is composed of normally pigmented cells and blood vessels.

In the front of the eye, the uvea is made up of the colored part of the eye (iris) and a circle of muscle tissue (ciliary body) that releases a transparent fluid (aqueous humor) into the eye and helps to control the shape of the lens. The largest area of the uveal tract is in the back part of the eye (choroid) which is located beneath the retina, the vision sensing portion of the eye.

In most instances, ocular melanomas arises within the choroid. Ocular melanoma arises from cells called melanocytes, which are the cells of the body that produce pigment. Ocular melanoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor that can potentially spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, most often to the liver. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but several risk factors have been identified.

About this Cancer

Statistics

  • According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the most recent statistics of eye cancer date from 2019 and 2022. 
  • It is a sporadic disease, with only 325 Canadians diagnosed in 2019, of which 165 were men and 160 were women.
  • With a very low death rate, according to the 2022 statistics, only 52 Canadians died from this cancer, of which 21 were men and 31 were women.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

Symptoms

Symptoms of ocular melanoma include

  • Poor or blurred vision in one eye
  • Loss of peripheral vision
  • Dark spot in the iris
  • Specks of dust or flashes of light in your vision 
  • Change in the shape of the pupil

For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for ocular melanoma include:

  • Primary acquired melanosis 
  • Ocular melanocytosis
  • Light pigmented skin, eyes and hair,
  • Use of indoor tanning
  • Skin moles
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Welding

For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Diagnosis

To diagnose melanoma, the following may be used:

  • Eye exam
  • An ultrasound of the eye
  • Angiography of the eye
  • Biopsy
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests: Chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan or an ultrasound

For more information on how ocular melanoma can be diagnosed, visit the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

Treatment options include

  • Radiation therapy
  • Laser therapy 
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Surgery 
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy

For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic.

Stories from Survivors

Stories from Other Groups

We currently do not have any stories on ocular melanoma. If you know of any, please share them with us at info@survivornet.ca.

Resources

Occular Melanoma Groups

Canada

  • Ocumel Canada: An initiative by Save Your Skin Foundation with the aim of increasing awareness, advancing treatment options and establishing a supportive community for individuals diagnosed with primary or metastatic ocular melanoma.
  • Uveal Melanoma Support: A number of supports, including phone and email support, virtual support groups, resource guides, and treatment information support offered by Melanoma Network of Canada.