Living with Uveal melanoma
A cancer of the pigment-making cells in the middle layer of the eye, most often in adults.
Understanding Uveal melanoma
The uveal tract has three parts: the choroid, the ciliary body, and the iris. Most cases start in the choroid. The ciliary body is less common, and the iris is the least common. Each site has different features and symptoms. It mainly affects adults.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Vision loss
- Detached retina
- A tumor in the choroid
- A tumor in the ciliary body
- A tumor in the iris
- Eye pain
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists and eye disease specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Melanoma Research Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Melanoma Research Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Melanoma Research Alliance and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a specific cause for this condition yet. It lists autosomal dominant inheritance, meaning a changed gene from one parent can be enough.
Also known as: intraocular melanoma; melanoma (disease) of uvea; melanoma of the uvea; melanoma of uvea; melanoma, uveal, malignant; uvea melanoma
Patient organizations
- Melanoma Research AllianceUveal melanoma · United States
- Melanoma Research FoundationUveal melanoma · United States
- A Cure In SightUveal melanoma · United States
- Ocular Melanoma FoundationUveal melanoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Uveal melanoma.
Explore research for Uveal melanoma
Explore actively recruiting Uveal melanoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Uveal melanoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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