Eye Cancer Treatment in Mumbai, India

What is Eye Cancer ?

Signs of cancer found in one’s eye are termed eye cancer. Cancer may be found in one of the major parts of the human eye. The three major parts of an eye are eyeball, orbit, and adnexal structures.

The eyeball is filled up with a jelly-like substance called vitreous humour. The eyeball has three parts – Sclera, Uvea and Retina. Orbit consists of the bones and tissues that surround the eye. The eyelids and tear glands comprise the adnexal structures of the eye.

Scientists believe changes in the DNA is one of the causes of eye cancer. Oncogenes get turned on by the change in DNA, which facilitates the growth of cancer cells. The DNA changes encourage the growth of cells excessively and subsequently lead to the formation of tumours.

Types of Eye Cancer

Eye cancer may be classified as either primary or secondary. The basis of classification is the origin of cancer cells in the eye.

The primary type of eye cancer forms within the eye. The most commonly found primary intraocular cancers are as follows:

• Melanoma is the most common form of eye cancer found in an adult, which originates in the pigmented cells of the eyes that give the eye its colour. Up to 85% of all primary intraocular cancers are of this type. A rarer type of melanoma is conjunctival melanoma. This type of cancer affects the thin covering of the sclera.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma- it is also called primary intraocular lymphoma. It is common in adults with low immunity conditions.
• Retinoblastoma is one of the most common forms of primary eye cancer found in children. In this case, cancerous cells grow on the tissues of the retina.
• Medulloepithelioma is the most typical tumour growing from the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium.
• Secondary intraocular cancer is found more widely than the primary form of eye cancer. Most secondary eye cancers start from the breast or skin near the eye.
• Orbital eye cancer and Adnexal eye cancer are other primary eye cancers.

Causes of Eye Cancer

Though it is not possible to pinpoint a single reason for eye cancer, some possible causes have been identified for the condition. The common causes that may result in eye cancer are as under:

• Colour of eyes – irises with light colours have a greater risk of contracting eye cancer than those with dark colours.
• Age – the risk of eye cancer grows considerably with advancing age of a person.
• Gender – eye cancers are more common in males than females.
• Inherited medical conditions – there may be some brown spots around the uvea, which may cause eye cancer.
• Moles – growth of moles on the skin in and around the eyes may be a possible cause of eye cancer at a later date.

Signs and symptoms of Eye Cancer

Signs and symptoms of a brain tumour include:

• Eye floaters
• Blurry vision – when one sees shadows around a vision, especially against bright light
• A mole, dark in colour on the white part of the eye, grows in size and eventually starts bleeding
• Pupil – change in size and shape
• Eyeball – there may be a change in the position
• A change in the manner of movement of the eye
• Gradually impaired vision
• Pain in the eye
• Proptosis – a condition where either one or both the eyes start bulging out
• A tumour on the eyelid
• Iris changing colour

Some of the common symptoms of eye cancer in children are as under:

• Excessive tearing of the eye
• White colour in the centre of the eye
• Redness of the eye accompanied by swelling

Risk Factors of Eye Cancer

• Race – eye cancer is more common among white people than races with coloured skin
• Colour of eyes – people with green or blue eyes are more prone to eye cancer
• Advanced age – with advancing age, the risk of eye cancer goes up
• Inherited conditions – inherited conditions like dysplastic nevus syndrome and oculodermal melanocytosis increase the risk of eye cancer
• Moles/Freckles – the presence of moles and freckles in and around the eyes may cause eye cancer.
• Precedence in the family – a family history of having eye cancer also increases the risk factor considerably

Diagnosis and Test For Eye Cancer

• Eye Examination – this is the initial test wherein the ophthalmologist uses light and a lens to examine the eyes.
• Ultrasound Scan – sound waves are used to create images of the eye for the doctor to ascertain the condition of the eye.
• Fluorescein angiography – a dye is injected into the arm. The doctor uses a specialised camera to take pictures of the back of the eye as the dye flows in along with blood.
• Biopsy – a small part of the tissue is removed and tested under a microscope.

Treatment and Care

The eye cancer treatment plan adopted by a doctor depends on the stage of eye cancer and the overall health conditions of the affected person. Some of the standard methods of eye cancer treatment are as under:

• Surgery: The risk of getting a surgery done is a chance of losing vision or at least a partial loss of vision.
• Radiation: This is more commonly used as this treatment does not harm vision.
• Laser therapy: This involves using Infrared rays to heat and kill the tumour.
• Chemotherapy: This method is used if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

In many cases, eye cancers are not curable. However, doctors adopt various methods of treatment to stall the growth of the ailment to the extent possible.

Our Medical Eye Cancer Treatment in Mumbai, India Experts

If you are facing any similar signs or symptoms please contact the Nanavati Max team to schedule an appointment at : +91 22 6836 0000

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