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What is it ~
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that most often arises in the skin. Less commonly, it is found in the eye and other sites in the body. In the eye, melanoma arises from the pigmented cells (melanocytes) of the uvea (iris, ciliary body or choroid). Melanoma carries the potential to spread from the eye to other parts of the body. Larger melanomas carry greater potential to spread than smaller tumors.
Who gets it ~
Melanoma affects approximately 2,000 to 2,500 people in the United States each year. It affects about 6 people per million population per year. Importantly, melanoma of the eye typically occurs in fair skinned, blue or green- eyed men and women. Rarely is this tumor found in dark skinned individuals. Hence, it is relatively rare in Asia and Africa.
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What causes it ~
The cause of melanoma is unknown. It has not been related to nutrition, smoking, drinking or any environmental cause. Chronic sun exposure may play a role, but this is debatable. Melanoma almost always affects only one eye and it is not hereditary so family members are not at increased risk for this cancer. It can develop in an otherwise healthy patient.
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