Question 1

what causes eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Uv radiation: Although the main cause of eye cancer is not yet known but exposure to ultraviolet rays, weak immune system, and retinoblastoma are some of the reasons which could result in eye cancers. Color of eyes: people having the eye colors of blue, grey, or green are prone of having melanoma. Melanoma is common in those who have abnormal brown spots in eyes, the other causes are uv radiation, moles, genetic.

Question 2

could you die of eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Some cancers affecting the eye, like choroidal melanoma, can be aggressive and fatal.

Question 3

what can lead to eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Sun exposure...: The most common eye cancer would be a basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid.  This is largely related to excess sun exposure.  A rare cancer in the eye is a retinoblastoma which can develop due to  a mutation on chromosome 13, called the rb1 gene.  This cancer has a good cure rate if detected early.  A melanoma is another form of cancer in the eye that  frequently harbor gnaq/gna11 mutations.

Question 4

how do people get eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Multiple steps: Any cancer, including eye cancer, is the result of multiple insults to the cells.  Some of the insults may be inherited mutations, most are environmental injuries.  The cumulative effect is to increase the proliferation of cells, non-response to usual regulation, ability to invade and metastasize.

Question 5

what does eye cancer look like?

Accepted Answer

Depends on site: The eye can get cancer on the outside which creates red and salmon colored patches and erosions that look angry (such as basal cell cancers on the lids).  Cancers on the inside can only be seen by opthalmoscopic exam by your eye doctor.

Question 6

how has eye cancer changed life?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: Eye cancer that grows out of control causes death.  Some eye cancers require that the eye be enucleated / removed.  Retinoblastoma patients may have a cancer develop in each eye; one is generally removed, the other radiated to preserve vision.

Question 7

what are the signs of eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Changes in vision: Though rare overall, there are many types of cancer of the eye and orbit. For ocular tumors, defects in visual field or blurriness are common. Unusual symptoms including visual hallucinations have been described. For orbital lesions, symptoms can include bulging of the eye, paralysis of movement or double vision. If you have any such changes  in one or both eyes, you should see your doctor!

Question 8

what are the tests for eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Eye exam and others: Eye "cancers" are fairly common if the lids are included, and can range from lid tumors like basal cells, to potentially blinding and life threatening tumors like choroidal melanomas, retinoblastomas, as well as tumors spreading from another location.  A thorough eye exam, and adjunctive tests like ultrasound, x-rays, and angiography are all used to diagnose ocular tumors.

Question 9

can too much sun causeeye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Eye cancer +sunlight: There is a strong correlation between sunlight exposure and skin cancers of the eyelids including melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.  The incidence is much higher in light skinned races.  If you have a suspicious lesion, see your ophthalmologist for evaluation.  These tumors are of course mostly in older populations.

Question 10

what are the symtoms of eye cancer?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes none: You can get a melanoma, or eye cancer inside your eye with no symptoms at all.  Usually eye cancers are on the outside and the lids and you may see a bump or growth that does not clear up.

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What causes eye cancer?

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Can too much sun causeeye cancer?

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