Intraocular melanoma

Text Size: A A A

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

Melanoma of the Uvea
Uveal melanoma

Home > Genetic & Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) > Intraocular melanoma

Intraocular melanoma
ORDR lists rare diseases for information purposes only and does not guarantee that a condition is rare. Read more
The links on this page may take you to sites outside of the NIH. (See Disclaimer for details.)

Intraocular melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the middle layer of the eye, called the uveal tract.^[1] The uveal tract has 3 main parts: (1) the choroid (the tissue layer filled with blood vessels); (2) the ciliary body (the ring of muscle tissue that changes the size of the pupil and the shape of the lens); and (3) the iris (the colored part of the eye). Most cases (90%) of intraocular melanoma develop in the choroid, called choroidal melanoma; the ciliary body is less commonly a site of origin, and the iris is the least common. Each manifests with different clinical features and symptoms. ^[2] Treatment depends on the site of origin (choroid, ciliary body, or iris), size and location of the tumor, the age of the individual, and other factors.^[1]

References

Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma Treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. 06/15/2010 Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/intraocularmelanoma/Patient/page5. Accessed 11/29/2010.
Shields, Carol, M.D., Shields, Jerry, M.D.. Ocular melanoma: relatively rare but requiring respect. Clinics in Dermatology. 2009.
About Ocular Melanoma. Ocular Melanoma Foundation. Available at: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/about-the-disease.htm#. Accessed 11/29/2010.

Questions & Answers

If you would like to submit a question, Contact GARD

For more information about Intraocular melanoma click on the boxes below:

More Detailed Information	Organizations	Medical Products	Services	Scientific Conferences	Clinical Trials & Research

General \| Insurance Issues
More Detailed Information (Found 4 resources) Links where you can find more general information, comprehensive resources, selected full text journal articles, and news updates. Disclaimer General The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public. Click on the link to view information on this topic. The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources. PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic. Insurance Issues The Social Security Administration (SSA) created the Compassionate Allowance Initiative to speed up the processing of disability claims for applicants with certain conditions. Click on the link to view the Compassionate Allowance information for this condition. More information about applying for Social Security disability benefits is available online. Link: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022460

General | Insurance Issues

More Detailed Information (Found 4 resources)
Links where you can find more general information, comprehensive resources, selected full text journal articles, and news updates. Disclaimer

General
- The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
Insurance Issues
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) created the Compassionate Allowance Initiative to speed up the processing of disability claims for applicants with certain conditions. Click on the link to view the Compassionate Allowance information for this condition. More information about applying for Social Security disability benefits is available online.
  Link: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022460

Organizations Providing General Support \| Social Networking Websites
Organizations (Found 7 resources) Groups providing a wide range of services, supportive resources, and information. Disclaimer Ocular Melanoma Foundation P.O. Box 29261 Richmond, VA 23242-0261 E-mail: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/contact-us.htm# Web site: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/home.htm# Organizations Providing General Support Genetic Alliance 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 404 Washington, DC 20008-2369 Telephone: 202-966-5557 Fax: 202-966-8553 E-mail: info@geneticalliance.org Web site: http://www.geneticalliance.org National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 55 Kenosia Avenue PO Box 1968 Danbury, CT 06813-1968 Toll-free: 1-800-999-6673 (voicemail only) Telephone: 203-744-0100 TTY: 203-797-9590 Fax: 203-798-2291 E-mail: orphan@rarediseases.org Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/ Social Networking Websites DNAandU.org is a Web site and blog that collects firsthand stories from people facing issues, making tough decisions, and using genomic (DNA) information in their own healthcare. Click on the link to learn from their experiences and/or submit your own story. The Ocular Melanoma Foundation Patient Forum is an interactive social network for patients, family members and health care providers to interact with one another. Click on the link to read more about this forum. Madisons Foundation P.O. Box 241956 Los Angeles, CA 90024 Telephone: 310-264-0826 Fax: 310-264-4766 E-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org Web site: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org/ RareShare is an online social hub dedicated to patients, families and healthcare professionals affected by rare medical disorders.

Organizations Providing General Support | Social Networking Websites

Organizations (Found 7 resources)
Groups providing a wide range of services, supportive resources, and information. Disclaimer

- Ocular Melanoma Foundation
  P.O. Box 29261
  Richmond, VA 23242-0261
  E-mail: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/contact-us.htm#
  Web site: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/home.htm#
Organizations Providing General Support
- Genetic Alliance
  4301 Connecticut Avenue NW
  Suite 404
  Washington, DC 20008-2369
  Telephone: 202-966-5557
  Fax: 202-966-8553
  E-mail: info@geneticalliance.org
  Web site: http://www.geneticalliance.org
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
  55 Kenosia Avenue
  PO Box 1968
  Danbury, CT 06813-1968
  Toll-free: 1-800-999-6673 (voicemail only)
  Telephone: 203-744-0100
  TTY: 203-797-9590
  Fax: 203-798-2291
  E-mail: orphan@rarediseases.org
  Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/
Social Networking Websites
- DNAandU.org is a Web site and blog that collects firsthand stories from people facing issues, making tough decisions, and using genomic (DNA) information in their own healthcare. Click on the link to learn from their experiences and/or submit your own story.
- The Ocular Melanoma Foundation Patient Forum is an interactive social network for patients, family members and health care providers to interact with one another. Click on the link to read more about this forum.
- Madisons Foundation
  P.O. Box 241956
  Los Angeles, CA 90024
  Telephone: 310-264-0826
  Fax: 310-264-4766
  E-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
  Web site: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org/
- RareShare is an online social hub dedicated to patients, families and healthcare professionals affected by rare medical disorders.

Medical Products (Found 1 resource)
Disclaimer

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD)

The medications listed in the table below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of this condition. The FDA Office of Orphan Products Development designates "orphan products" for those that treat rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. The table below may not be an exhaustive list of drugs or products used to treat this condition. There may be other products available that are not considered orphan products. To search all FDA approved drugs, visit Drugs@FDA You can find orphan products used to treat other conditions by searching the Orphan Drug Product Designation database.

Generic Name Trade Name
(Manufacturer Name) Indication Resources
Aldesleukin Proleukin
(Novartis) Treatment of adults with metastatic melanoma. MedlinePlus


Services (Found 2 resources) Links to Web sites that offer services, such as tools to locate specialists, specialty clinics, genetic services, and genetic testing laboratories. Disclaimer Many individuals want to know about healthcare professionals or researchers who have knowledge of their conditions. When a condition is rare, it can be difficult to find someone who has seen many cases. Although there is no list of experts in rare diseases, GARD's How to Find an Expert fact sheet provides several ways to identify healthcare professionals who have experience with a particular condition. Click on the link to access this resource and learn more. Parent Resources The Parent Technical Assistance Center Network provides a list of the Parent Training and Information Centers in each state. These centers are funded by the United States Department of Education to provide early intervention and special education information and training to parents of children with disabilities from birth to age 26. Click on the link to find the Parent Center in your state.

Services (Found 2 resources)
Links to Web sites that offer services, such as tools to locate specialists, specialty clinics, genetic services, and genetic testing laboratories. Disclaimer

- Many individuals want to know about healthcare professionals or researchers who have knowledge of their conditions. When a condition is rare, it can be difficult to find someone who has seen many cases. Although there is no list of experts in rare diseases, GARD's How to Find an Expert fact sheet provides several ways to identify healthcare professionals who have experience with a particular condition. Click on the link to access this resource and learn more.
Parent Resources
- The Parent Technical Assistance Center Network provides a list of the Parent Training and Information Centers in each state. These centers are funded by the United States Department of Education to provide early intervention and special education information and training to parents of children with disabilities from birth to age 26. Click on the link to find the Parent Center in your state.


Scientific Conferences (Found 3 resources) Resources where you can find information on completed and upcoming scientific conferences and programs. Disclaimer Past Conferences RDCRN 3rd Conference on Clinical Research for Rare Diseases, October 2, 2012 Location: Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, MD Description: Clinical research in rare diseases presents a number of challenges and unique issues that are not usually considered in the training of clinical investigators through existing training programs. Goals of the conference include: direct instruction of trainees and new investigators in rare disease research methodology; development of a reusable curriculum/syllabus on rare disease research methodology; and stimulation of ideas regarding the unique issues facing investigators engaged in the study of rare diseases. Overcoming Barriers to International Clinical Trials for Rare Cancers , December 10, 2010 Description: The goals of this conference were to introduce key institutional players to the topic of international clinical trials in rare cancers and to establish an ongoing dialogue. Participants left the meeting with a set of specific priorities that need to be enacted to promote these trials. The meeting promoted consensus on the way that resources are prioritized to address rare cancers. Participants were asked to convey the content of the meeting to their constituencies and to follow up with pilot concepts. VI International Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD 2010): Global Approach to Accessibility in Rare Diseases, Orphan Drugs and Neglected Diseases , March 18, 2010 - March 20, 2010 Location: Palais Rouge Convention Center, Palermo, Buenos Aires Description: For the first time, the VI International Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD 2010) was convened in the southern hemisphere in agreement with its aim of globalization of rare diseases research and orphan products development activities.

Scientific Conferences (Found 3 resources)
Resources where you can find information on completed and upcoming scientific conferences and programs. Disclaimer

Past Conferences
- RDCRN 3rd Conference on Clinical Research for Rare Diseases, October 2, 2012
  Location: Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, MD
  Description: Clinical research in rare diseases presents a number of challenges and unique issues that are not usually considered in the training of clinical investigators through existing training programs. Goals of the conference include: direct instruction of trainees and new investigators in rare disease research methodology; development of a reusable curriculum/syllabus on rare disease research methodology; and stimulation of ideas regarding the unique issues facing investigators engaged in the study of rare diseases.
- Overcoming Barriers to International Clinical Trials for Rare Cancers , December 10, 2010
  Description: The goals of this conference were to introduce key institutional players to the topic of international clinical trials in rare cancers and to establish an ongoing dialogue. Participants left the meeting with a set of specific priorities that need to be enacted to promote these trials. The meeting promoted consensus on the way that resources are prioritized to address rare cancers. Participants were asked to convey the content of the meeting to their constituencies and to follow up with pilot concepts.
- VI International Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD 2010): Global Approach to Accessibility in Rare Diseases, Orphan Drugs and Neglected Diseases , March 18, 2010 - March 20, 2010
  Location: Palais Rouge Convention Center, Palermo, Buenos Aires
  Description: For the first time, the VI International Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD 2010) was convened in the southern hemisphere in agreement with its aim of globalization of rare diseases research and orphan products development activities.


Clinical Trials & Research (Found 4 resources) Resources where you may find research studies and clinical trials. Disclaimer ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study, or COMS for short, is a set of clinical trials designed to evaluate the treatments doctors use for their patients with choroidal melanoma. COMS clinical trials are funded by the National Eye Institute and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health of the United States, and are being conducted at more than 40 medical centers in the United States and Canada. Click on the following link to learn more. http://www.jhu.edu/wctb/coms/index.htm NIH Clinical Trials and You is a website developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help people learn more about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. Patient Registry ResearchMatch is a free national research registry designed to bring together patients, healthy volunteers and researchers. Anyone from the United States can register with ResearchMatch, and a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker may register on behalf of a volunteer. Researchers from participating institutions use the ResearchMatch database to search for patients or healthy volunteers who meet the study criteria. Many studies are looking for healthy people of all ages, while some are looking for people with specific illnesses. ResearchMatch was developed by major academic institutions across the country and is funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

Clinical Trials & Research (Found 4 resources)
Resources where you may find research studies and clinical trials. Disclaimer

- ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Intraocular melanoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.
- The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study, or COMS for short, is a set of clinical trials designed to evaluate the treatments doctors use for their patients with choroidal melanoma. COMS clinical trials are funded by the National Eye Institute and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health of the United States, and are being conducted at more than 40 medical centers in the United States and Canada. Click on the following link to learn more.
  http://www.jhu.edu/wctb/coms/index.htm
- NIH Clinical Trials and You is a website developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help people learn more about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate.
Patient Registry
- ResearchMatch is a free national research registry designed to bring together patients, healthy volunteers and researchers. Anyone from the United States can register with ResearchMatch, and a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker may register on behalf of a volunteer. Researchers from participating institutions use the ResearchMatch database to search for patients or healthy volunteers who meet the study criteria. Many studies are looking for healthy people of all ages, while some are looking for people with specific illnesses. ResearchMatch was developed by major academic institutions across the country and is funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.