In general we find that patients prefer to be monitored here in the Ocular Oncology clinic rather than be discharged to their local hospital. For that reason we will offer you long-term follow up until such time as you
feel happy to be returned to the care of your local hospital.
What will happen following treatment of your eye tumour?
What will happen following treatment of your eye tumour?
- Following surgical treatment you will normally be reviewed in clinic within 2-3 weeks of discharge from the ward.
- Following either sterotactic radiosurgery or proton beam therapy you will be reviewed in clinic approximately 8-10 weeks following completion of treatment.
- Subsequent appointments will be at 4-6 month intervals.
- Dilating drops instilled (unless your tumour is at the front of your eye).
- A clinical examination of the treated eye by the doctor to assess the response to treatment.
- Periodic ultrasound scans and/or photographs of the treated eye.
Metastatic screening (monitoring for spread of your eye tumour)
Certain tumours have the potential to spread to other parts of the body and for this reason we recommend screening depending on the nature and location of your eye tumour.
Uveal melanoma As the liver is the commonest site for secondaries from uveal melanoma we recommend six-monthly abdominal ultrasound examinations for at least five years and up to 10 years. This is a simple procedure that can be performed at many local hospitals and is able to detect abnormalities smaller than 1cm in size. In certain cases MRI may be done and this will be discussed with you if required. Investigations (such as chest x-rays) are not required in most cases.
We are doing a prospective study looking at whether untrasound of the abdomen or MRI is more beneficial for patients.
What happens if you develop metastases to your liver?
Certain tumours have the potential to spread to other parts of the body and for this reason we recommend screening depending on the nature and location of your eye tumour.
Uveal melanoma As the liver is the commonest site for secondaries from uveal melanoma we recommend six-monthly abdominal ultrasound examinations for at least five years and up to 10 years. This is a simple procedure that can be performed at many local hospitals and is able to detect abnormalities smaller than 1cm in size. In certain cases MRI may be done and this will be discussed with you if required. Investigations (such as chest x-rays) are not required in most cases.
We are doing a prospective study looking at whether untrasound of the abdomen or MRI is more beneficial for patients.
What happens if you develop metastases to your liver?
- An MRI scan will confirm the diagnosis and the extent of the metastases.
- You will be referred to an Oncologist who specialises in medical treatment of metastatic uveal (eye) melanoma. This will either be at your local hospital or to Dr Sarah Danson at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts Weston Park Hospital.
Find out more about Dr Sarah Danson here
- You will also be referred to a liver surgeon with expertise in surgical resection and ablation therapy for liver metastases. This will either be at your local hospital or to Dr Ali Majeed at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust who has over 15 years experience in this field.
Find out more about Dr Ali Majeed here
Conjunctival tumours
Conjunctival tumours tend to recur on the surface of the eye rather than spread elsewhere. However if they have invaded deeper tissues there is a risk of spread to the lymph glands in the neck and for that reason we recommend 6-monthly MRI scans of the head and neck. If a problem is detected on screening further tests will be required to assess the extent of the problem.
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Conjunctival tumours tend to recur on the surface of the eye rather than spread elsewhere. However if they have invaded deeper tissues there is a risk of spread to the lymph glands in the neck and for that reason we recommend 6-monthly MRI scans of the head and neck. If a problem is detected on screening further tests will be required to assess the extent of the problem.
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Useful contact numbers
Macmillan Cancer Care
0808 808 00 00
www.macmillan.org.uk
The Eye Cancer Network
International education and support for eye tumor
patients and their families
www.eyecancer.com
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Macmillan Cancer Care
0808 808 00 00
www.macmillan.org.uk
The Eye Cancer Network
International education and support for eye tumor
patients and their families
www.eyecancer.com
Return to top
More helpful information can be found in the Support section
'I was extremely apprehensive but it was nothing like I feared. The care I received in Sheffield was first class. The team are all dedicated,
caring professionals who left me feeling I could not have been treated better anywhere.'
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