Eye Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Among all malignant tumors, eye cancer is the rarest.But this does not mean that the probability of its development can be excluded completely and, moreover, ignore dangerous symptoms. Pathological processes in cancer of the eye can affect the choroid, retina, conjunctiva, orbit or appendages of the eye (tear glands, eyelids). Treatment in the early stages usually has good predictions.

Definition of disease

Eye cancer is a separate group of malignant neoplasms localized in the appendages or tissues of the eyeball.This pathology includes a huge list of formations of different localization, so the symptomatology can have different. The cancer most often affects the eyelid, while malignant lesions are diagnosed much more often benign.

Oncology of the eye is a rare disease. He accounts for only 3% of all oncopathologies.

Types and Classifications

Tumors of the eyeball are malignant and benign.To benign carry papillomas of keratoacanthoma, trichoepithelioma and syringo adenomas, nevuses, senile warts, fibromas, hemangiomas, neurinomas, lipomas, lymphangiomas, adenomas, myomas, myxomes, neurofibromas, gliomas, xanthelasma, papillomas.Malignant tumors are much more dangerous and include:

• Sasal cells- have the appearance of a bump in the lower part of the eye or on the mucous in the place where the eyelids are connected together. The reason is a sunburn.
• Scaly-cell- an ulcer with pronounced margins, may increase in size.

• Meibomian carcinoma- has a firm of halyazion, the color is yellow, is localized, as a rule, in the upper part of the eye. In the case of removal of the carcinoma quite quickly appears again and begins to grow actively. The growth of education can be stopped through the use of special drugs.
• Melanoma- develops as a result of thermal burn. In the risk zone, women aged 40-70 years. It can spread to the lymph nodes, affect the lungs and liver.
• Retinoblastoma (retinal cancer)- most often diagnosed in childhood.
• Sarkom- develops rapidly, destroying the optic nerve, adversely affecting the degree of mobility of the eyeball. Develops soreness.
• Squamous cell carcinoma- pathology is not prone to rapid spread, metastasis, and therefore refers to a relatively safe. The site of localization is the border area of ​​the mucosa of the lower eyelid, the inner corner of the eye and the border area of ​​the epidermis. It looks like a small seal.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea

Causes

The exact causes of the development of eye cancer at the moment are not established - only risk factors are identified.Among them:

1. Appropriate genetics - if in a family someone has been diagnosed with eye cancer, then you are at risk.
2. Nervous exhaustion - it is a question of chronic problems, depressions, negative emotions.
3. Ecology - in large cities it is far from favorable.
4. HIV is a frequent satellite of all cancers.
5. Metastatic, secondary oncological processes.
6. Ultraviolet irradiation - solariums, love for active tanning are, to put it mildly, unsafe hobbies.
7. Presence of pigmented spots on the ocular membrane.

Low immunity is the main factor in the development of most pathologies, and eye cancer is no exception. Therefore, people with HIV are at risk.

Symptoms

Because there are many types of cancer (see above), the symptomatology can differ.

Symptoms of the appearance of eye cancer depend on the type of pathology.Main clinical manifestations:

• deterioration of visual function up to complete loss;
• increased dark spots around the eye arch;
• the appearance of sudden rather severe pain;
• protrusion of the eyes or eyelashes;
• displacement of the eyeball;
• development of strabismus;
• flash before your eyes.

Strabismus as a symptom of the manifestation of cancer

In some patients, a mole or nevus is formed on the eye.It can also manifest as a pterygium or pingvecula. These formations are harmless, and in most cases are not related to oncology, but doctors do not rule out such an opportunity. The same goes for conjunctival cysts.

Usually, nevi do not interfere with a person, but the appearance of sudden pain is a sufficient reason for immediate contact with a doctor.Also, with cancer of the eye, the general condition may worsen - the vital tone falls, the person quickly becomes tired, loses appetite. Diagnosis of pathology only in the late stages or by pure chance - for example, as part of a general survey.

Nevus eyes

Possible complications

When untimely treatment starts the processes of destruction of the century, accompanied by intolerable pain, a possible fatal outcome.In the early stages of the visual function suffers, blindness can develop.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pathology involves examining the eyeball, checking the field of vision and its acuity.Also, advanced research techniques such as ultrasound scanning, ophthalmoscopy, biopsy, MRI, can the doctor refer the patient to blood tests, fluorescent angiography. The need for additional research is determined on an individual basis.

Conduction of ophthalmoscopy

After collecting anamnesis and initial examination, the doctor can refer the patient to liver testing, brain MRI, chest X-ray, ultrasound of the digestive tract, CT of other organs. Be sure to complete the diagnosis.

Treatment

The main methods of treating eye cancer are surgical and medicamentous.

Medicines

Chemotherapy is the main method of drug treatment of cancer.Immunotherapy, hormone replacement also belong to this category, because they all contain cytotoxic elements. Cytotoxic agents are the only way to stop the processes of dividing cancer cells and, correspondingly, the growth of a tumor.

Even after surgical removal, the tumor can occur again - cytotoxic drugs prevent it.

Operation

Surgical treatment of eye cancer is used most often - it involves the removal of damaged tissues or tumors.In some cases, the operation is used in conjunction with radiation and chemical therapy - it all depends on the stage of cancer, the patient's condition and other factors. Melanoma can be treated with a laser. If pathological changes affect most of the eye, the doctor removes the whole eyeball and implants the artificial one.

Operation to remove the affected tissue with cancer

Optical influence

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and is actively used in the treatment of eye melanoma. The technique is based on the directional action of a beam of light on cancer cells.

Radiation therapy of cancer

Prevention

Prevention of eye cancer is reduced to the exclusion of factors that provoke the development of the tumor.Visit an ophthalmologist every year - he will diagnose pathology in the early stages, when the symptomatology is practically absent.

Video

Conclusion

Eye cancer is rare, but it is a dangerous disease - it first causes visual impairment, and then, in the absence of proper treatment, leads to blindness.The exact causes of the appearance of tumors are unknown - doctors distinguish only provoking factors like bad ecology, stress and so on. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical operations are used to treat eye cancer.