Eye cancer
What is eye cancer?
Eye cancer starts in or near your eye. Intraocular melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer in adults.
Risks for eye cancer
Risks for eye cancer include primary acquired melanosis (PAM), ocular melanocytosis and light-coloured skin, eyes and hair.
Symptoms of eye cancer
Symptoms of eye cancer include blurred or decreased vision and seeing flashes of light, shadows or floaters. Learn about the symptoms of eye cancer.
Diagnosis of eye cancer
Tests to diagnose eye cancer, such as ultrasound, are done when symptoms or a routine eye exam suggests a problem. Learn about diagnosing eye cancer.
Grading eye cancer
Grading is a way of classifying eye cancer cells based on their appearance and behaviour when viewed under a microscope. To find out the grade of a tumour, the biopsy sample is examined under a microscope. A grade is given based on how the cancer cells look and behave compared with normal cells.
Stages of eye cancer
Staging is a way of describing or classifying a cancer based on the extent of cancer in the body. The most common staging system for melanoma of the eye (intraocular) is the TNM system.
If eye cancer spreads
Cancer cells have the potential to spread from the eye to other parts of the body where they can grow into new tumours. This process is called metastasis. The tumours are also called metastasis (singular) or metastases (plural). Metastases are also called secondary tumours.
Prognosis and survival for eye cancer
People with eye cancer may have questions about their prognosis and survival. Prognosis and survival depend on many factors. Only a doctor familiar with a person’s medical history, type of cancer, stage, characteristics of the cancer, treatments chosen and response to treatment can put all of this information together with survival statistics to arrive at a prognosis.
Treatments for eye cancer
Treatments for eye cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Learn about treatment plans and options for eye cancer.
Supportive care for eye cancer
Supportive care helps people meet the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of eye cancer. It is an important part of cancer care. There are many programs and services available to help meet the needs and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer and their loved ones, especially after treatment has ended.
Eye cancer statistics
Cancer statistics tell us how many people in Canada are diagnosed with and die from eye cancer in a certain time frame.
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