DIAGNOSIS
In diagnosing ocular melanoma, an array of specialized tests will be conducted. Such tests include:
- Eye exam: A test that uses an ophthalmoscope to view structures of the assess and assessthe eye for possible enlargement of the blood vessels.
- Eye ultrasound: A test that uses high-frequency sound waves to measure and generate large images of the eye, which will allow the doctor to measure the size of the melanoma.
- Angiogram: A test that takes an image of the blood vessels in the eye. It allows doctors to produce a picture of structures of the eye to spot the existence of a tumor
- Optical coherence tomography: A test that light waves to produce detailed images of the back of the eye.
- Biopsy: A sample tissue is removed from the surface of the eye then examined in a laboratory.
It is also paramount to detect whether cancer has metastasized. Tests to verify this include:
- Measuring liver function through blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- Abdominal ultrasound to check whether it has metastasized in the liver
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
TREATMENT
Treatment procedures and interventions differ reliant upon various factors such as tumor size, location of the tumor, and the general health.
Small ocular melanoma may not need treatment; however, when melanoma continues to grow, treatments will be administered; these include:
- Radiation therapy: extinguishes the genetic material of cancer cells using beams of powerful energy x-rays
- Laser treatment: killing cancerous cells using infrared lights
- Photodynamic therapy: kills cancerous cells using light and photosensitizing chemical substance
- Cryotherapy: freeze and kill the cancerous cells
- Surgery: removal of either the tumor or the whole eye
Some tests will be repeated to see improvements.