Ocular melanoma is most often detected by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist during a dilated eye exam. Often, OM is asymptomatic until the tumor grows large enough to create visual disturbances. Iris and conjunctival melanoma may sometimes be diagnosed by external — from the outside — examination. Detection of choroidal or ciliary melanoma requires a thorough dilated eye exam. Diagnosing Ocular Melanoma
Unlike cutaneous melanoma, a biopsy is not usually taken to diagnose OM. Rather, OM tends to be a clinical diagnosis — meaning it is often made based on signs and symptoms. In some cases, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be performed to help guide prognosis or determine eligibility for certain clinical trials.
After an OM diagnosis, your doctor may order imaging tests — such as an MRI or CT scan of the liver, and in some cases a PET/CT — to check for signs of cancer beyond the eye. Liver imaging is particularly important, as this is the most common site of metastasis.
What you need to know l Educate yourself and loved ones about your diagnosis. l Find a support system. Family, friends, strangers, in-person, online, phone support — choose one (or more) that is best for you. l Ocular melanoma survival statistics describe a group of similar patients… but they may have nothing to do with your individual chance of survival. l Every patient is different. There is no “blanket” treatment plan. l It is important to be an active participant in your treatment. Seek out an OM specialist. Be your own advocate.
5
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator