Tumours on the surface of the eye
The below conditions relate to tumours found on the surface of the eye. We have information on tumours inside the eye here.
Several tumours affect the conjunctiva, these include melanoma, ocular surface squamous neoplasia, sebaceous gland carcinoma and lymphoma.
Melanomas develop from the body’s pigmented cells known as melanocytes, found in the skin and within the body, including the eye. For that reason, freckles (naevus) or moles can develop on the surface of the eye, often present from childhood. These can be monitored and generally require no intervention.
Similar pigmentation can develop later in life, known as primary acquired melanosis (PAM). A biopsy can generally distinguish a freckle (naevus) from PAM, and our histopathologist can assess whether any of the cells show suspicious features know as atypia. If these atypical cells are present further treatment may be required to reduce the risk of developing melanoma. This may include cryotherapy (freezing treatment), or chemotherapy drops.
Melanoma is diagnosed when the atypical cells invade the deeper tissues, as pre-cancerous (in-situ) or cancerous (invasive) melanoma. These need to be treated with either surgical removal, chemotherapy drops or radiation treatment.
There is a risk that melanomas, especially invasive, may spread outside the eye and therefore, screening tests and surveillance may be required which will be discussed with you by the team.
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia is a spectrum of disease which can range from mild abnormal (atypical) changes to the superficial cells to severe forms which may invade deeper tissues, either pre-cancerous (in-situ) or cancerous (invasive) squamous cell carcinoma. This is a similar to the commonest form of skin cancer. The appearance of the lesion will be able to guide whether this needs to be observed, small biopsy taken, cryotherapy (freezing treatment), chemotherapy drops treatment or surgical removal of the lesion is needed.
There is a risk that squamous cell carcinomas, especially invasive, may spread outside the eye and therefore, screening tests and surveillance may be required which will be discussed with you by the team.
For more information on chemotherapy drops click here for 5FU or for MMC click here
This is an unusual form of cancer which may develop on the conjunctiva or eyelid. It may resemble benign eye conditions such as eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) or block eyelid glands. Therefore, may only be diagnosed when a biopsy is performed. The treatment is similar to other conjunctival cancers.
This is a tumour arising from the cells of the immune system and may develop on the conjunctiva, with a pink, rubbery appearance. In general, conjunctival lymphoma causes no significant harm to the eye, however, it may indicate the presence of lymphoma elsewhere in the body. A small biopsy is usually able to diagnose lymphoma and you will be referred to your local lymphoma specialist, haemato-oncologist, who will be able to arrange screening and discussed treatment options.