November 29, 2021
Intraocular tumours are rare and there are no screening tests for asymptomatic people, but ophthalmologist Filomena Pinto reminds us of the importance of having regular eye tests, preferably every two years, from the age of 40.
Melanoma and choroidal metastases are the most frequent malignant intraocular tumours in an adult. However, melanoma is a primary tumour, i.e. it originates in the eye, from which it can spread to other organs, especially the liver and lung.
In contrast, metastases are secondary tumours originating from tumours located in other organs or tissues, most commonly the lung and breast, and which reach the eye via the bloodstream.
Melanoma is a rare tumour, fortunately, with an annual incidence of approximately 5 to 8 cases per million inhabitants and which affects more people between 55 and 65 years of age, with skin, hair and light eyes. Metastases, on the other hand, are more frequent than melanoma and can appear in younger people, depending on the primary tumour and its staging.
In around 30% of cases, the primary tumour is not known at the time of diagnosis of intraocular metastasis. Symptoms in the initial phases may be minimal and non-specific, especially in the case of small lesions and even in more peripheral locations, making detection more difficult and time-consuming.
When these tumours are located more centrally, which is more frequent in metastases, some symptoms may appear, namely total or partial loss of vision accompanied or not by pain. In addition to the clinical assessment performed by the ophthalmologist, ocular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography, which can be performed during a consultation, are fundamental for diagnosis.
With regard to treatment, this tends to be increasingly conservative in relation to the eyeball and the aim will be to preserve, whenever naturally possible, the vision, the eye and improve the quality of life of our patients.
In this sense, there are several therapeutic options of local application and which include radiotherapy, laser, intraocular injections, and which will be selected according to the type of tumour, the visual function and the general condition of the patient.
In tomorrow's programme we will talk about hereditary retinal dystrophies.
With the support of the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology.
