Choroidal melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults, and Dr. Finger’s research has been key to developing treatments.

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Even so, it is still extremely rare. Annually, 4-6 people per million in the US are diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, and it is found in 10-12 people per million in Australia, Europe and Russia. It occurs more commonly in people who work outdoors, and those with blue irises and fair skin. This seems to indicate that ultraviolet radiation from the sun plays a role. So Dr. Finger says, “Think of sunglasses as sunblock for your eyes.”

Dr. Finger has done extensive research in the diagnosis and treatment of choroidal melanoma, leading to pioneering treatments.

In 2009, Dr. Finger published his patient outcomes for 400 cases of intraocular melanoma treated with palladium-103 plaque radiation therapy. He found a local control rate (rate of killing the tumor in the eye) of 96.7%. With this treatment, 79% of patients retained useful vision. In 2013, he published a study that small melanomas treated with palladium-103 plaques did even better (100% local control).
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Dr. Finger’s research of conjunctiva tumors leads to three important points.

• The first surgery offers the best chance for a cure.
• Larger tumors require more complex multi-modality treatments.
• Eyes and vision can be salvaged through the use of radiation.

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Iris melanoma is a relatively rare form of eye cancer.

Dr. Finger chaired a multi-center, internet-assisted, international study that staged and described the clinical and pathologic characteristics of biopsy proven malignant melanoma of the iris. As a result, he has extensive knowledge of this type of cancer.

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Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults.

Dr. Finger has dedicated years of research to this common eye cancer. As a result, he has developed pioneering techniques for diagnosing and treating this disease.

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The methods for diagnosis of patients with iris, iridociliary and anterior uveal tumors have changed in recent years.

Traditionally, patients diagnosed with an iris or iridociliary melanoma have undergone intraocular surgery to “cut out” the tumor. But today, Dr. Finger rarely has to remove the tumor, instead opting for destroying it with an external application of plaque radiation therapy.

It is well known that intraocular surgeries carry greater risk of intraocular infection, hemorrhage, retinal detachment and cataract. In addition, removal of the iris (whose function is to limit the amount of light entering the eye) typically results in a large “key-hole” pupil and symptoms of glare. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Finger has found that plaque radiation therapy destroys the tumor and usually preserves iris function, thus making his patients happier with their results.

Eye cancer specialists used to worry about radiation retinopathy or corneal opacity after plaque radiation for iris melanoma. However, with over 20 years of experience with palladium-103 plaque therapy, it appears that only cataract is the primary complication. These lens opacities are easily repaired with standard cataract surgery. The risk of radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy is minimal.

The advent of high-frequency ultrasound imaging has revolutionized the diagnosis of cancers affecting the iris.

For more information on the diagnosis and treatment iris and ciliary body melanoma, and Dr. Finger’s research in the area download the PDF:

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When cancer metastasizes to the eye and the orbital area, early detection, diagnosis, and prompt treatment offer the best chance to preserve vision.

The most common sources of ocular metastasis are breast cancer, primarily in women, followed by lung cancer, primarily in men. However, other less common sources include gastrointestinal, prostate, lymphoid, leukemia, thyroid, kidney, and skin (primarily melanoma). Continue reading…

Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Dr. Finger has been instrumental in creating The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study of Choroidal Melanoma. Download a summary of the study today:

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This cancer initially appears as a small freckle beneath the retina. Choroidal melanoma can grow in height and diameter and may eventually spread to other organs of the body, causing death.

Since choroidal melanoma is actually inside the eye, it is not visible or symptomatic to patients. They may not recognize they have a problem until the tumor grows to a size that impairs vision by obstruction, retinal detachment, hemorrhage, or other complication.

Periodic dilated retinal examination is the best means of early detection.

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Conjunctival tumors affect the area inside the eyelids and on the surface, or white, of the eye. They are primarily related to ultraviolet light exposure from the sun.

Conjunctival cancers (primarily melanoma and squamous carcinoma) are commonly treated with a combination of surgical removal “excision” and cryo- “freezing” therapy. Dr. Finger has developed specialized cryotherapy applicators for treatment of conjunctival cancer. Compared to standard retinal cryotherapy probes used at most centers, “Finger-tip” applicators provide larger surface areas for more complete, uniform freezing of conjunctival, scleral and corneal tumors.

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