Why Does an Eye Tumour Occur? Causes and Symptoms

Eye Tumor Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Eye tumours can be benign or cancerous and affect the eyelids, eye sockets, or the inside of the eye. Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular cancer in adults. It affects about 5 per million people each year. Approximately half of all patients may eventually develop metastatic disease, often years after the initial diagnosis and treatment of the eye tumor. This is why ongoing monitoring is critical.

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumour in children. In North America, there are approximately 325 cases per year. On a global scale, it occurs in 1 out of every 15,000 to 30,000 live births.

Early detection is key; but survival rates vary drastically by tumor type. The severity and types of eye tumours vary, so seeking medical attention as soon as possible is vital. Keep reading to learn more about the causes and symptoms of eye tumours.

What is an eye tumour?

A tumour of the eye is a growth abnormality in cells around or within the eye. These growths can be benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous). They may develop in the eye's tissues, such as the retina, the uvea or iris (iris, ciliary body, choroid), the conjunctiva, or the tissue around the eye.

Why Does Eye Tumour Occur, and What are Its Causes?

Eye tumours can form for the following main reasons:

1. Genetic Mutations : Intraocular cancers like uveal melanoma stem from changes in pigment-producing cells’ DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), often involving genes such as GNAQ (guanine nucleotide-binding protein G (q) subunit alpha), GNA11 (guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha 11), and BAP1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1). These mutations driving uveal melanoma are usually acquired after birth. Retinoblastoma is caused by mutations in the RB1 (retinoblastoma 1) genes, which can be inherited or occur spontaneously. These mutations cause abnormal cell growth in the retina.
2. Hereditary Risk Factors : Eye tumours are more likely to develop if you have inherited syndromes such as RB1 mutations in the family or conditions that increase your risk of developing cancer, like BAP1 syndrome.
3. Age, Race, and Pigmentation : Most eye melanomas appear in adults over 50 with lighter skin or eyes (blue/green) and are significantly more common in white individuals.
4. Other Eye Conditions or Exposures : Some skin conditions, such as dysplastic nevi, high UV (ultraviolet) exposure, and atypical birthmarks, like Nevus ota, may increase the risk of eye melanomas. Eyelid cancers (e.g., basal or squamous cell carcinoma) are more likely in fair-skinned people with frequent sun exposure.

What are the symptoms of an eye tumour?

Here are the common symptoms of an eye tumour:

• Blurred, distorted, or decreased vision in one eye, or sudden vision loss.
• Floaters (dark specks or threads) are drifting across your vision, and there are occasional flashes of light.
• A growing dark patch on the coloured part of your eye (iris) or the white of the eye.
• Changes in pupil shape or size, such as an irregular or misshapen pupil.
• Bulging eye, redness, swelling, or a lump on the eyelid or eyeball.
• Loss of side (peripheral) vision.
• Difficulty moving the eye in certain directions or double vision.
• Occasional mild pain or irritation, more likely if the tumour grows outside the eye.

These symptoms can also be due to less serious eye conditions. Still, if you experience any of these, seeing an eye specialist (like an ophthalmologist) is essential; early examination can make a critical difference.

What are the treatments for eye tumours?

Treatment of eye tumours is as follows:

1.  Watchful Waiting 

• Small, slow-growing tumours may be monitored closely until treatment becomes necessary.

2.  Radiation Therapy 

• Plaque brachytherapy involves attaching a tiny radioactive disc (plaque) to the eye over the tumour for a few days and then removing it. External beam radiation, such as proton or external photon radiation, targets the tumour from outside the body.

3.  Laser Treatments 

• Thermotherapy (infrared laser) damages tumour cells with heat and is sometimes used with radiation. Laser photocoagulation (argon or diode laser) cuts off blood to small tumours in the back of the eye.

4.  Surgery

• Tumour resection removes just the tumour.
• Enucleation removes the entire eye if the tumour is large or advanced.
• Exenteration may be needed in severe cases to remove tissues around the eye.

5.  Cryotherapy

• Uses freezing to destroy small tumours on the surface or peripheral retina.

6.  Chemotherapy

• Systemic, intra-arterial, or intravitreous delivery may be used, especially for children or tumours not treatable by local methods alone.

7.  Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

• Newer drug therapies may be used when the cancer has spread beyond the eye.

Early detection of eye tumours like retinoblastoma can lead to a high cure rate and long-term survival. Using targeted chemotherapy and treatments that spare the eyes has improved outcomes. With early detection and ongoing innovation, families can have real hope.