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Melanoma of the eye

Alternative Names:

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

Treatment:

Small melanomas may be treated with lasers or by radiation therapy . Chemotherapy may be needed if the tumor has spread. Surgical removal of the eye may be necessary to prevent the spread of tumor to the brain or other organs.

Support Groups:

For additional resources, see cancer support group .

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome for melanoma of the eye depends upon the size of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Between 60% and 80% of patients will survive at least 5 years from the time of diagnosis if the cancer has not spread outside the eye (metastasized).

If there has been spread outside the eye, the chance of survival is much lower.

Complications:

Spread of the tumor to other areas of the body is a complication.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if a melanoma of the eye is suspected.

Retina

Review Date: 5/3/2006
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.

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