Eye cancer
Cancers of the eye can be divided into those covering the surface of the eye and those occurring internally. Most external tumors are relatively benign and slow growing and can be treated by superficial excision. Internal eye tumors, usually involving the retina and choroid, are more serious and often call for radiation and other therapy in addition to surgery. The most common internal eye cancers include intraocular melanoma in adults and retinoblastoma in children. Both of cancers can spread to other organs and can be fatal. Sometimes, cancers from other parts of the body (e.g. breast or lung cancer) can spread to the eye and cause a secondary tumor.
Eye cancer treatment frequently requires the collaboration among specialists from multiple different medical disciplines. The ophthalmologist plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of eye tumors but may work with medical and radiation oncologists to provide the appropriate evaluation and treatment, as needed.
Research efforts are under way at UC Davis to evaluate the use of radiation therapy for internal cancers of the eye and to increase knowledge of the effects of other cancers upon the eye.