Ocular Melanoma Ocular melanoma can account for 10 percent of all melanomas. These patients almost always survive even after ten years of going undetected. There can also be ocular melanomas that are made up of spindle cells mixed with epitheloid cells, which is more malignant than just spindle cells, but is less malignant than epitheloid cells. These melanomas grow very slowly, an ophthalmologists can observe them for five to ten years without little increase in size. The shape of these melanomas is very important and can determine their behavior.
Observation can indicate their outcome.
Biopsies are not performed on eye melanomas, but are easy to detect by an experienced ophthalmologist. Ocular melanomas are not classified by stages instead they are characterized by small, medium, and large tumors, and based on their diameter and elevation. This is done by direct observation and ultrasound measurement. If a ocular melanoma extends outside the eye to the surrounding bone, chances of survival are very low. Usually both surgery and radiation therapy are combined.