Causes of Eye Cancer


100’s of cases of eye cancer are diagnosed each year. While more than 90% of those cases are melanoma, there are several other types of intraocular and extraocular eye cancer that can affect children and adults. Understanding the causes and risk factors associated with eye cancer can be important in bringing more attention to this form of cancer and to recognising symptoms associated with the condition so treatment can be received as quickly as possible.

Tumour Formation

To understand the causes of eye cancer, one must first understand how cancer, in general, forms. When you are healthy, the cells in the body are going to divide. They do this to repair damage, such as with the skin, or for other reasons. However, cancer causes the cells to begin dividing at an uncontrollable rate. When the cells divide rapidly, all of the cells become backed up in one area and form the tumour. If those cells break free from the main tumour, they can enter your bloodstream or the lymphatic system and spread to other parts of your body where they will infect other healthy cells, cause uncontrolled growth, and the formation of a tumour elsewhere. This is medically known as ‘metastasis.’

Genetics & Eye Cancer

Intraocular eye cancer, such as melanoma, is believed to be linked to genes. Medical researchers are still studying this connection. However, they do know from studying other types of cancer that something in your DNA may cause a cell in your body to turn cancerous. Because DNA is passed on through the genes, this connection explains why some types of cancers run in families. More research is needed to fully understand this connection with eye cancer. The important thing in the short term if you have a family history of eye cancer is to pay extra attention to vision or eye problems so you can receive an early diagnosis.

<<<previous page
next page>>> 


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.