Ocular Oncology and Treatments

Ocular oncology addresses cancers that arise in and around the eye, ranging from uveal melanoma—a tumor originating in the pigmented tissue layer of the eye—to retinoblastoma, the most common eye cancer in children, and ocular surface neoplasia affecting the outer membranes. Because the eye's confined anatomy and its proximity to critical visual and neurological structures complicate treatment, clinicians must balance tumor control against preserving sight, driving active interest in radiation therapy techniques and locally delivered chemotherapy that minimize collateral damage. Genetic mutations, particularly in genes such as GNAQ, GNA11, and BAP1, have revealed why uveal melanoma so frequently metastasizes to the liver even after the primary tumor is controlled, and identifying reliable prognostic markers remains a central challenge. Current research is working to understand why metastatic ocular melanoma responds poorly to the immunotherapies that have transformed treatment of skin melanoma, and whether targeting the specific mutation pathways driving these tumors can finally improve survival outcomes.

Works

55,952

Total citations

663,917

Keywords

Uveal MelanomaRetinoblastomaOcular Surface NeoplasiaMetastatic DiseaseChoroidal MelanomaGenetic Mutations