Conjunctival Tumors Overview - EEC035
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the conjunctiva and often grow onto the corneal surface. Both conjunctival melanoma and squamous carcinoma have been associated with sun (ultraviolet UV-ray) exposure, so Dr. Finger says, "Think of Sunglasses as Sunblock for your Eyes.®" Commonly treated with observation for growth, surgical removal or a combination of surgery and freezing "cryotherapy," over the last 10 years more and more patients are treated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy eye drops.
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Large Clinical Trials Won't Change Physics - EEC034
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
This Podcast takes a closer look at what I do to maximize eye radiation outcomes and minimize patient risk. Until we have a treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma, destruction of the intraocular tumor will be the best way to prevent and thus "treat" metastasis. Across the world, each eye cancer center has its own radiation methods to destroy choroidal melanomas. However, a closer look at the methods of plaque selection and implementation reveals significant differences.
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Super-Thick Amniotic Membrane Grafts - EEC033
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
This Podcase discusses a technique I introduced to ophthalmic oncology. Sometimes, when eye cancer specialists have to remove a large tumor from the surface of the eye, we created a large tissue-defect on its surface. The surgeon cannot leave it grow on its own because the eyelid can scar and stick to the eyeball (called symblepharon). This scarring can hamper the movement of the eye and doesn't look normal.
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Iris Tumors - EEC032
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Iris tumors are visible. Patients see them in the mirror and eye care specialists view them through the clear cornea. We use specialized ultrasound (UBM) and anterior segment OCT tests to reveal the contents, distribution and size of these tumors. Most are benign and thus can be observed for growth prior to intervention. Others are either clinically diagnosed and treated or undergo biopsy.
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Partial Sclerouvectomy PSLU Endoresection or Surgical Removal for Uveal Melanoma - EEC031
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Cancer textbooks tell us to remove or destroy primary cancers to prevent spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body. In the 1950s, most eyes with choroidal melanoma were removed. Some small anterior choroidal, ciliary body and iris melanomas were locally resected. However, The multicenter, international, Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study taught us that removal of the eye was not necessary for moderately sized choroidal melanomas.
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Vascular Tumors within the Eye - EEC030
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
There are many different types of vascular tumors within the eye. In the uvea or vascular layer beneath the retina, there occur both circumscribed and diffuse hemangiomas. The latter or diffuse variant is commonly associated with the congenital neurologic disorder Sturge-Weber Syndrome (encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis). It is associated with Port-Wine skin coloration, glaucoma, seizures, intellectual disability, and ipsilateral leptomeningeal angiomas.
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Basic Eyelid Tumors II Treatment Overview - EEC029
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the eyelids. Once the clinical or pathologic diagnosis is established it is time to consider treatment. Eye cancer specialists will recommend either removal or destruction of the eyelid cancer. Depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor, different surgical or treatment strategies will be used. These treatments can range from simple surgical excision of the tumor and margins or Moh's microsurgical resection, typically followed by oculoplastic surgical repair.
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Basic Eyelid Tumors Diagnostic Overview - EEC028
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the eyelids. Most have been associated with sun (ultraviolet UV-ray) exposure. The most common eyelid cancer is basal cell carcinoma, but squamous carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma and melanoma can occur. If the tumor doesn't have a classic, diagnostic appearance, a small biopsy for pathology evaluation may be needed. This podcast describes the clinical characteristics of these tumors, how they grow and even spread to other parts of the body.
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The Nevus of Ota and Ocular Melanosis - EEC027
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
Oculodermal melanocytosis or the Nevus of Ota means that there are increased numbers of cells called melanocytes in the eyelid skin, sclera and uveal vascular layer of the eye. Typically presenting at birth, it can increase during puberty and pregnancy. The pigmentation can follow the distribution of the trigeminal nerve and can therefore extend to the palate.
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Guidelines (ABS-AAPM) for Eye Plaque Radiation Therapy for Melanoma and Retinoblastoma - EEC026
Essential Eye Cancer Podcast
In 2014, the first multicenter, international consensus guidelines for ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy was "open access" published in the journal "Brachytherapy." Dr. Finger was selected to Chair the Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force which he assembled to discuss, survey and create these guidelines. In total, this committee included 47 eye cancer specialists from 10 countries. In this Podcast, Dr. Finger summarizes their most important findings.
info_outlineThere exist many different types of orbital cancers. Typically diagnosed by biopsy, few can be completely removed. In these cases, radiation therapy offers a method to treat residual and even clinically undetectable microscopic left over tumor cells. Most of these orbital cancers can be safely cured with relatively low dose radiation that is easily tolerated by the eye. In those cases, the tumor is cured and the eye continues to function. These patient need to be monitored with periodic eye examinations for late occurring radiation complications (eg. cataract, retinopathy, optic neuropathy). However, there also exists orbital cancers that cannot be controlled with low dose irradiation. Many of those cancers will treated by removal of entire orbit (including the eye). This results in no possibility of vision and a poor cosmetic result. When high dose irradiation is needed to spare the eye, vision and improve cosmesis, Dr. Finger utilizes a specialized technique called “Brachytherapy Boost.” This involves temporary surgical placement of radiation sources into part of the orbit to increase treatment of the tumor bed. Then an overlay of external radiation treats the entire orbit. These two types of radiation overlap in the implanted radiation zone, effectively increasing the dose where is it is needed while decreasing irradiation to the normal parts of the eye. Finger’s brachytherapy boost technique has allowed Dr. Finger to improve cosmesis, spare vision and preserve eyes for patients with radiation resistant orbital tumors. This podcast discusses Dr. Finger’s experience with Brachytherapy Boost for tumor control in patients.
Paul T. Finger, MD, FACS
The New York Eye Cancer Center
115 East 61st Street
New York City, New York, USA
10065
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (011) 212 832 8170