A 59-year-old woman diagnosed with … eye melanoma was taken under the care of doctors Lesley Everett and Dr. Thomas Copperman from the University of California. This proves that – contrary to popular belief – melanoma is not only a skin cancer.
The 59-year-old suffered from eye pain. She hasn’t seen it in several years. Inflammation has already developed in the vicinity of the eyeball. She came under the care of doctors from the University of California Medical Center. Doctors diagnosed her with uveal melanoma. The case of the woman was described in the scientific journal “The New England Journal of Medicine”.
The performed examination showed narrowing of the right eye, ophthalmoplegia, periocular inflammation and pupil defect. MRI showed a tumor measuring 2,8 x 2,5 x 2,3 cm. Despite the actions taken, the patient died two months after the diagnosis of the disease.
Melanoma of the uveal membrane accounts for 85 percent. all ophthalmic melanomas. Half of the patients develop metastases, mainly to the liver.
Melanoma is one of the most malignant neoplasms. It can be caused by even a short exposure to intense sunlight. The risk is also increased by frequent visits to the solarium. Melanoma can develop in anyone, regardless of age; Research shows, however, that the risk of the disease increases significantly in women over 30 years of age and in men over 40 with fair skin and multiple birthmarks. To protect yourself from cancer (90% curable!), All you need is a little caution and common sense.
(«The New England Journal of Medicine»)