Eye Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis

Eye cancer is a rare but serious form of cancer that can affect the eye. In adults, ocular melanoma is the most common form of eye cancer. In a child with eye cancer, it is usually retinoblastoma. Early medical intervention is particularly important for the prognosis.

Also read: Poor or blurred vision: how to recognize eye problems in children

Types of eye cancer

• Ocular melanoma (uvial melanoma): Ocular melanoma develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Ocular melanoma can develop in different parts of the eye, such as the iris, ciliary body, or choroid.
• Retinoblastoma: Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor that develops in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Because the disease occurs in a growing eye, it occurs almost exclusively in children under the age of five. This form of eye cancer is rare, but it requires immediate medical attention because early detection and treatment are crucial for survival and vision preservation. Retinoblastoma can occur in one eye (unilateral) or in both eyes (bilateral).
• Eyelid Cancer: Eyelid cancer occurs in the skin of the eyelids. It can take several forms, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Early symptoms may include a lump or sore on the eyelid that doesn’t heal, or changes in the appearance of the skin.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma of the eye is a rare cancer that originates in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. It can affect both the eye itself and surrounding structures. Lymphoma of the eye is often associated with systemic lymphomas that affect other parts of the body.
• Secondary eye tumors: Secondary eye tumors do not originate in the eye itself, but are the result of cancer metastases elsewhere in the body, such as breast cancer or lung cancer. These tumors can affect the eye or eye socket and lead to symptoms such as visual changes and eye pain.

Also read: Is it harmful to rub your eyes?

Symptoms of eye cancer in children

• A visible whitish reflection in the pupil, especially in photographs, known as the “cat’s eye reflex”
• Crossed eyes (strabismus) because vision decreases due to tumor growth
• A painful red eye that resembles an eye infection
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Enlarged pupil

Also read: Retinal cancer or retinoblastoma in children

Symptoms of eye cancer in adults

In adults, the symptoms of eye cancer can vary depending on the type and location of the tumor. Some common symptoms include:

• Visible or palpable mass in or around the eye.
• Blurred vision or loss of vision.
• Pain in or around the eye.
• A dark spot on the iris that appears to be growing.
• Flashes of light or floating particles in the field of vision.
• Changes in the shape or size of the pupil.

Treatment of eye cancer

Treatment for eye cancer depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer.

• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor or even the entire eye to prevent the spread of cancer. For retinoblastoma, the eyeball may be removed (enucleation) if the tumor is large or does not respond to other treatments.
• Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy can be used internally (brachytherapy) or externally to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. This treatment is often used for ocular melanoma.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can be administered systemically through the bloodstream or locally directly into the eye. This is especially common for retinoblastoma to shrink tumors for further treatments such as surgery or laser therapy.
• Laser therapy and cryotherapy: Laser therapy can be used to destroy cancer cells for smaller tumors. Cryotherapy (freezing the tumor) can also be used for retinoblastoma to stop tumor growth.

Prognosis of eye cancer

The prognosis of eye cancer varies greatly depending on the type and stage of the disease at diagnosis. Early detection and treatment significantly improve survival rates.

• Retinoblastoma: In a child with retinoblastoma, the chance of survival is high if the disease is detected and treated early. The five-year survival rate is around 95% (in developed countries). In some cases, there may be permanent loss of vision, depending on the size and location of the tumor.
• Ocular Melanoma: For adults with ocular melanoma, the prognosis is less favorable, especially if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The five-year survival rate for ocular melanoma ranges from 70% to 80% when detected early, but drops significantly if the cancer spreads.

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