Diagnosis

Doctors use many tests to diagnose cancer and determine if it has metastasized (spread). Some tests may also determine which treatments may be the most effective. For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer. However, for eye melanoma, a diagnosis can often be made without a biopsy. The doctor may also suggest other tests that will help make a diagnosis. Imaging tests may be used to find out whether the cancer has metastasized. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:

• Age and medical condition
• The type of cancer suspected
• Severity of symptoms
• Previous test results

In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose eye cancer:

Eye examination. Most cases of melanoma are found during a regular eye examination. The doctor will examine the eye with a lighted instrument called an ophthalmoscope and a slit lamp (a microscope with a light attached to it).

Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the eye.

Fluorescein angiography. This procedure takes a picture of the blood vessels in the eye. A fluorescent dye (called fluorescein) is injected into the patient’s arm. The dye moves through the body and into the blood vessels in the back of the eye. The doctor then takes several, quick pictures of the eye. Fluorescein angiography may be used to rule out eye problems other than cancer. Indocyanine green angiography is a similar test that uses a different dye, called indocyanine green.

Fine needle biopsy. This procedure removes tumor cells from the eye with a needle. This allows the doctor to look at the cells under a microscope. Because doctors can correctly diagnose more than 95% of intraocular melanoma without a biopsy, this procedure is not needed for most people.

Tests for metastases. A tumor that starts in the eye can spread through the blood to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver. The doctor may see if the tumor has spread to the liver by testing the levels of liver enzymes in the person’s blood or through a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan or an ultrasound of the liver. A CT scan creates a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body with an x-ray machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium (special dye) is injected into a patient’s vein to provide better detail. The doctor may also order a positron emission tomography (PET scan). A PET scan is a way to create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. A small amount of radioactive substance is injected into a patient’s body and absorbed by the organs or tissues being studied. This substance gives off energy that is detected by a scanner, which produces the images. The doctor may also recommend a chest x-ray to check if the cancer has spread to the lung.

To learn more about what to expect during common diagnostic tests, read Cancer.Net: Tests and Procedures.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: Newly Diagnosed.