Symptoms and diagnosis of eye tumours

Tumors of the eye are so varied that it is difficult to identify common symptoms. In the case of surface cancers, a nodule may be observed, sometimes accompanied by local inflammation. When the tumor is intraocular, a drop in visual acuity or a reduction in the visual field may be observed. 

Eyelid tumours are essentially basal cell carcinomas. In most cases, these tumors have an excellent prognosis, with an exceptional risk of metastasis, although there is a risk of local malignancy. Other, rarer but more aggressive malignant tumors of the eyelid include squamous cell carcinomas, sebaceous carcinomas and Merkel tumors. They can lead to metastases. 

Malignant conjunctival tumours are rare but potentially serious: lymphomas, conjunctival carcinomas and conjunctival melanomas. There may also be dysplasia (tissue malformation), sometimes severe, or precancerous melanosis, which is difficult to diagnose. Conjunctival melanomas are aggressive malignant tumors. They resemble cutaneous melanomas, although they are much rarer. They frequently arise on a precancerous condition, called Reese's melanosis, or on the degeneration of an old nevus (commonly known as a mole). The tumor is usually pigmented and fast-growing, in fair-skinned people aged 50 or over. Conjunctival lymphoma usually has a good prognosis when associated with the mucous membranes (MALT lymphoma). There are rarer, more aggressive forms. Diagnosis is made through a simple biopsy.

Tumors of the eye socket are rare and a lot more polymorphous. All types of tumor may be found in the eye socket. The diagnosis is often based on a biopsy or removal analyzed by a seasoned anatomopathologist. 

Malignant eye tumors, strictly speaking, include primitive tumors (retinoblastoma in children, uveal melanoma, primitive lymphoma of the eye socket in adults) and choroidal metastases from a cancer located elsewhere, such as the breast, lung or colon. The diagnosis is established by an ophthalmologist specializing in eye tumors based on clinical and echographical evidence. Biopsy of an eye is always a delicate operation. It is therefore only proposed in cases where diagnosis is difficult.

Uveal melanoma is the most common form of eye cancer. It generally originates in the eyeball, and can cause severe visual disturbances, such as reduced visual acuity, spots in the visual field, repetitive flashes or the presence of a benign pigmented lesion. A fundus examination confirms the diagnosis.

Retinoblastoma is a pediatric tumour of the retina. Around fifty new cases are observed every year, 90% of which are diagnosed before the age of three. This is a proliferation of small, immature cells within the retina itself, manifesting itself as a whitish sheen on the pupil, and more rarely as a strabismus of unexplained onset. Diagnosis is confirmed by a fundus examination, performed under general anesthesia for younger patients, in conjunction with an MRI scan.