An Ocular Melanoma is a condition that there is a presumed transformation from a Choroidal Nevus to a malignant tumor. This occurs 1 in 500 times in 10 years. There is ony a 6 in a Million chance you will have an Ocular Melanoma but a 1 in 10 chance you have a nevus.
Diagnosis
A detailed exam is done to detect the presence of the abnormal growth and pigmentation. The size, elevation, color, overlying drusen (yellow spots) borders are assessed and compared to benign and malignant tumors. If the lesion seems benign, a baseline photo is taken and periodic follow up dilated fundus (back of the eye) examinations are performed to detect changes in size, elevation, pigmentation and other features.
This image on the right represents an Ocular Choroidal Melanoma.
Treatment
Treatment for an Ocular Nevus (freckle) is just monitoring. For an melanoma the treatment is much different. A melanoma can result in mortality even with the best treatment. Most treatment is done at University Centers specialized in the assessment and treatment. An oncologist should be consulted and treatment may consist of a radioactive plaque (for smaller tumors) or external beam radiation for larger tumors. Lasers can be used and surgery with an enucleation may be suggested as well. Chemotherapy is generally not employed in non metastatic disease.
Follow up
The patient should be followed regularily and MRI, Ultrasound or CT scans should be done to monitor for metastatic disease to the liver.