Ocular Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Guide

OCULAR MELANOMA

Reminder

UVEAL Melanoma

CONJUNCTIVAL Melanoma

IRIS Melanoma

CILIARY BODY Melanoma

CHOROIDAL Melanoma

Primary Management and Treatment Surgery is the most common type of treatment for conjunctival melanoma. Most cases of conjunctival melanoma only require removal of the tumor seen in the eye, however for more extensive or recurrent CM, a surgery called orbital exenteration may be required. Similar to cutaneous melanoma, sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy may be recommended for staging. Excision is often followed by one or more types of adjuvant therapy in an effort to prevent the melanoma from spreading, or metastasizing. Types of adjuvant therapies could include cryotherapy (using freezing or near-freezing temperatures), topical chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Long-term follow-up of patients with conjunctival melanoma is recommended in order to detect recurrences or metastatic disease. Patients should be monitored for recurrence by a trained ocular oncologist.

Living with Conjunctival Melanoma Please take a moment to review the final tab of this booklet — Living with Ocular Melanoma — for helpful information regarding follow-up care, coping with vision issues and living with monocular vision.

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