About eye cancer

About eye cancer
Eye cancer is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells. It can develop in or around the eye. There are several different types of eye cancer.

Types of eye cancer
Cancer that develops in the eye is called intraocular cancer. Cancer that develops outside the eye is called extraocular cancer. Below are the most common types.

Intraocular cancers
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
This type of cancer usually develops in lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are glands throughout your body that make up part of your immune system (the system that helps protect your body from infections). However, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma sometimes develops in the eye.

Ocular melanoma
Melanoma develops from cells that contain the pigment melanin. It most commonly occurs on the skin. But it can also develop inside the eye, where it is called ocular melanoma.

Melanoma is the most common type of intraocular eye cancer, though it's still rare. It is most commonly diagnosed in people over 50.

Ocular melanoma usually develops in the uveal tract in the eye. The uvueal tract consists of the choroid layer (the lining of your eyeball), the ciliary body (which contains the muscles that focus the eye), and the iris (the coloured part of your eye). Melanoma can also starts in the inner surface of eyelids (conjunctiva) or the eyelids.

Retinoblastoma
This type of intraocular eye cancer develops in young children, usually under the age of 5. It is often inherited. In nine out of 10 cases it can be cured.

Extraocular cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the UK. It often develops near your eye, especially on the lower eyelid. It causes a small red growth on the skin that often has a pearly edge to it. It doesn't usually spread to other parts of the body but it can affect surrounding tissue if it isn't treated. Basal cell carcinoma can usually be removed with surgery if caught early, but sometimes radiotherapy is used to treat it (see Treatment). Squamous cell carcinoma is another type of skin cancer that can develop on the skin of your eyelid, but it is quite rare. It develops on the surface of the eyeball or the conjunctiva. It can sometimes spread to lower levels of the skin. It's usually treated with radiotherapy, although it may need surgery as well (see Treatment). Rhabdomyosarcoma
This is a very rare extraocular cancer that most commonly affects children. It develops in the muscles that move the eye.

Optic nerve tumours
Rarely, a tumour can develop in your optic nerve. The optic nerve connects your eye to the brain. Optic nerve tumiurs are usually treated with surgery (See Treatment).

Symptoms
The symptoms of eye cancer vary depending on the type of cancer and where it is located.

Intraocular cancers such as ocular melanoma have no symptoms. They are usually detected in routine eye examinations. This is one of the reasons it's important to have regular eye tests. The College of Optometrists recommends having an eye examination every two years unless you are advised otherwise.

Some eye cancers cause symptoms. However it's important to remember that these are usually caused by other eye problems and only rarely mean that you have eye cancer. These symptoms are:

loss of some or all of your vision flashing lights or spots in your vision a dark spot on your iris that is growing a visible lump on your eyelid with crusting or bleeding pain in or around the eye (although this is rare with cancer) bulging of an eye In children a squint or odd looking pupil may be a symptom of retinoblastoma. If you notice this, you should take your child to your doctor.