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uveal cancer

Description

What is Uveal Cancer?

Uveal cancer, also known as intraocular melanoma or ocular melanoma, is a rare type of cancer that affects the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea. The uvea has three main parts: the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid.

Types of Uveal Cancer

Uveal cancer can arise from any part of the uvea, but it most commonly develops in the choroid layer. There are two main types of uveal cancer:

  • Iris melanoma: This type is usually small and grows slowly, rarely spreading to other parts of the body.
  • Ciliary body and choroid melanoma: These types are larger and more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms

Uveal cancer often has no early signs or symptoms. However, as it progresses, it may cause:

  • Blurred or changed vision
  • Floaters (spots that drift in your vision)
  • Flashes of light
  • A dark spot on the iris

Risk Factors

The risk factors for uveal cancer include having fair skin and light-colored eyes.

Prevalence

Uveal cancer is a rare disease, diagnosed in about 2,000 people per year in the United States. It is also known as intraocular melanoma or ocular melanoma.

Sources:

  • [1] Uveal Melanoma Symptoms · Blurred or changed vision. · Floaters, or spots that drift in your vision. · Flashes of light. · A dark spot on the iris. · Changes in ...
  • [3] Malignant intraocular (uveal) melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults.
  • [4] Uveal Melanoma Symptoms · Blurred or changed vision. · Floaters, or spots that drift in your vision. · Flashes of light. · A dark spot on the iris. · Changes in ...
  • [10] Uveal melanoma involves one of the three parts of the eye that comprise the uvea: the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid.
  • [11] Symptoms include blurred vision, loss of vision, and photopsia, but there may be no symptoms.

Additional Characteristics

  • Intraocular melanoma
  • Uveal cancer
  • Ocular melanoma
  • Iris melanoma
  • Ciliary body and choroid melanoma

Signs and Symptoms

Possible Signs and Symptoms of Uveal Cancer

Uveal cancer, also known as ocular melanoma or uveal melanoma, can be a rare but serious type of eye cancer that affects the middle layer of the eye. While it's often referred to as "silent" because it may not cause early signs or symptoms, there are some possible indicators to look out for:

  • Vision problems: Blurred vision, loss of part of your field of vision, or complete loss of sight [5][6]
  • Floaters and flashes: Sensation of flashing lights or small spots (floaters) in your field of vision [5][6]
  • Dark spot on the iris: A dark spot or pigmented area on the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye [9]
  • Bulging of one eye: In some cases, uveal cancer can cause the affected eye to bulge out [8]

It's essential to note that these symptoms may not always be present in the early stages of uveal cancer. If you experience any unusual changes or concerns about your vision, it's crucial to consult with an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Early detection is key: While uveal cancer can be challenging to diagnose, catching it at an early stage significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces the risk of complications. If you're concerned about your eye health or have any symptoms that worry you, don't hesitate to seek medical attention.

References:

[5] Context result 5 [6] Context result 6 [8] Context result 8 [9] Context result 9

Additional Symptoms

  • Bulging of one eye
  • Vision problems
  • Floaters and flashes
  • Dark spot on the iris

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic Tests for Uveal Cancer

Uveal cancer, also known as ocular melanoma, can be diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and imaging tests.

  • Eye Exam: A comprehensive eye exam is usually the first step in diagnosing uveal cancer. This may involve dilation of the pupil to allow for a thorough examination of the retina and optic nerve.
  • Imaging Tests: Additional imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-ray, transillumination test (light test), and physical exam may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine if the cancer has spread.
  • Biopsy: While a biopsy is not usually necessary to diagnose uveal melanoma, it may be performed in some cases to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Tests Used to Determine Spread

If uveal cancer is suspected, additional tests such as:

  • Blood tests to measure liver function
  • Chest X-ray
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scans

may be used to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Prognostic Tests

In recent years, prognostic tests have been developed to more accurately assess a uveal melanoma tumor's biology and likelihood of spreading. These tests include:

  • DecisionDx-UM: A widely used prognostic test in the US that has been clinically tested with over 16,000 patients since its availability in 2009.

References

  1. [3] The diagnosis of uveal melanoma is based primarily on clinical examination by biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  2. [4] The diagnosis of uveal melanoma is based on ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy and ultrasonography (US). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in assessing the extent of disease.
  3. [11] Doctors diagnose many types of cancer by taking a biopsy (removing a small piece of tumor for laboratory testing). However, a biopsy is not usually needed to diagnose uveal melanoma.
  4. [10] In recent years, prognostic tests have been developed to more accurately assess a uveal melanoma tumor’s biology and likelihood of spreading.

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the search results provided in the context.

Additional Diagnostic Tests

  • Biopsy
  • Chest X-ray
  • Eye Exam
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scans
  • Imaging Tests (ultrasound, X-ray, transillumination test, physical exam)
  • Blood tests to measure liver function
  • DecisionDx-UM: Prognostic test for uveal melanoma tumor's biology and likelihood of spreading

Treatment

Uveal melanoma is a rare form of eye cancer that affects the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye. While there are no standard treatments for uveal melanoma, various drug therapies have been explored to manage this condition. Here's an overview:

Approved treatments:

  1. Tebentafusp (Kimmtrak): As mentioned earlier, tebentafusp was approved by the FDA in January 2022 as a treatment for unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma in HLA-A*02:01-positive adults.
  2. Ipilimumab: Ipilimumab is an immunotherapy drug that has been used to treat various types of cancer, including uveal melanoma. It works by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells.

Experimental treatments:

  1. Nivolumab: Nivolumab is another immunotherapy drug that has shown promise in treating uveal melanoma.
  2. Pembrolizumab: Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, has been investigated as a potential treatment for uveal melanoma.
  3. Checkpoint inhibitors: Other checkpoint inhibitors, such as atezolizumab and durvalumab, have also been explored in clinical trials.

Targeted therapies:

  1. Vemurafenib: Vemurafenib is a targeted therapy that has shown activity against uveal melanoma cells with BRAF mutations.
  2. Dabrafenib: Dabrafenib, another BRA

Recommended Medications

💊 Drug information is sourced from ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest) database. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication. Click on any medication name for detailed information.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Uveal Cancer: A Comprehensive Overview

Uveal cancer, also known as posterior uveal melanoma, is a type of eye cancer that affects the pigmented layer of the globe, including the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Differential diagnosis is an essential consideration in diagnosing uveal cancer, as various lesions can simulate this condition.

Common Differential Diagnoses

  • Benign Melanocytic Lesions: Choroidal nevi or congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can be mistaken for primary uveal melanoma [6].
  • Retinoblastoma: A rare form

Additional Differential Diagnoses

Additional Information

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It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about your medical condition.