Melanoma of the eye

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Retina

Melanoma of the eye is cancer that occurs in various structures in the eye, such as the choroid, the iris, or the ciliary body. The choroid layer is the most likely location of melanoma in the eye.

Malignant melanoma - choroid; Malignant melanoma - eye; Eye tumor; Ocular melanoma

Melanoma is a very aggressive type of cancer that can spread rapidly. It often affects the skin. 

Melanoma is the most common type of eye tumor in adults. Even so, primary melanoma of the eye is rare.

The cancer may only be in the eye, or it may spread to another location in the body. There may be no early symptoms, but the tumor will eventually cause a retinal detachment and distortion of vision.

Excessive exposure to sunlight is an important risk factor. The occurrence of melanoma has greatly increased in recent decades. Fair-skinned and blue-eyed people are affected most often.

Review Date: 05/03/2006
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.