Different Types of Eye Cancer

Eye cancer is a condition that refers to any type of cancer that starts in the eye. When cancer starts in the cells of the eye, grows out of control forming a mass called a tumor. These tumors can either be benign or malignant. When the tumor is benign, it can grow but it will not spread. When the tumor becomes malignant, it can grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center have the best eye doctor in Brooklyn that can help you diagnose eye cancer. To know more about eye cancer, contact us at Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center.

There are two main types of eye cancer:

• Primary eye cancer – cancer that starts in the eye
• Secondary eye cancer – cancer that spread to the eye from another part of the body. Breast cancer and lung cancer are the usual types of main cancer that metastasize into the eye.

To understand eye cancers, you should first know the different parts of your eyes. The eye has three major parts, which includes:

• The eyeball – has three different layers sandwiched together; the sclera (the outer fibrous layer), the choroid (the middle blood layer), and the retina (the inner colored layer)
• The orbit – these are the tissues that surround the eyeball
• The adnexal structure, or accessory – this are the structures around the eye that includes the eyelids and the tear glands

Cancer that forms in your eye itself is called intraocular cancer. There are also different types of intraocular cancer:

• Melanoma – this is the most common type of intraocular cancer in adults. This begins when the cells in your eyes called melanocytes grow uncontrollably. This condition is also often called uveal melanoma.
• Intraocular melanoma – this condition is a rare type of cancer and can be difficult for doctors to diagnose. This is a lymphoma that begins in your eyeball.
• Retinoblastoma – this is the type of cancer in the eye that are most common in children
• Hemangioma – this is a benign tumor affecting the choroid and retina, that starts in the blood vessels

Other rare types of eye cancers include:

• Conjunctival melanoma – this tumor starts in the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. If this type of tumor is not treated early, it can spread to your lymph nodes.
• Eyelid carcinoma (basal or squamous cell) – this is a variation of skin cancer that starts in your eyelids.
• Lacrimal gland tumor – this could be a benign or malignant tumor that starts in your glands that produces tears.
• Rhabdomyosarcoma – this type of cancer starts at the soft tissue around your eye.

Eye cancer is very rare, but your risk of developing it increases as you get older. It is important that you always go to your yearly eye exam to catch early symptoms of eye cancer.

For eye concerns, our ophthalmologist at Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center can help you diagnose your eye condition. You can check our website at http://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com/ or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call us at 1-347-384-5690 to book an appointment.