Uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma, also called ocular melanoma or intraocular melanoma, is a rare type of cancer that starts in the uvea — the middle layer of the eye. The uvea includes the iris (the colored part of your eye), the ciliary body (which helps the eye focus), and the choroid (a layer of blood vessels behind the retina). Most uveal melanomas start in the choroid. This cancer develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, the same type of cells involved in skin melanoma, but uveal melanoma behaves very differently and is not caused by sun exposure in the same way. Many people with uveal melanoma have no symptoms at first, especially when the tumor is small. As it grows, people may notice blurry vision, flashes of light, a dark spot in their vision, or a change in the appearance of the eye. Sometimes the tumor is found during a routine eye exam before any symptoms appear. Treatment options include radiation therapy (such as brachytherapy, where a small radioactive plaque is placed on the eye), laser treatments, and in some cases surgical removal of the eye (enucleation). A targeted therapy called tebentafusp (Kimmtrak) was approved by the FDA in 2022 for adults with a specific genetic type of metastatic uveal melanoma. Despite treatment of the primary tumor, about half of patients develop metastatic disease, most often in the liver, which remains the biggest challenge in managing this condition.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.What is the size and stage of my tumor, and what does that mean for my risk of the cancer spreading?,Should I have a biopsy of my tumor for genetic testing, and what will those results tell us about my prognosis?,What treatment do you recommend for my eye tumor, and will it preserve my vision?,How often should I have liver imaging to check for metastasis, and what type of imaging is best?,Am I eligible for tebentafusp (Kimmtrak) if my cancer spreads, and should I be tested for HLA-A*02:01 now?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider at this stage or if my cancer spreads?,Should my family members be tested for inherited BAP1 mutations, and what would that mean for them?

Common questions about Uveal melanoma