Eye melanoma treatment

In this section, we discuss the different treatment options available for someone diagnosed with eye melanoma.

Your treatment options

You will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of health professionals. Because melanoma found in the eye is a rare cancer, you may also be referred to a specialist treatment centre or an eye hospital. The MDT may include an ophthalmologist, radiation oncologist (to prescribe and coordinate a course of radiation therapy), medical oncologist (to prescribe and coordinate drug or systemic treatments, such as immunotherapy), nurses, and allied health professionals (e.g. psychologist, counsellor, social worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist).

Your doctor will talk to you about the best treatment available to you. Options will depend on tumour size and location, and whether it has spread. The aim of treatment is to remove the cancer, and try to save the eye and as much vision as possible. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy. These may be given alone or in combination. There may be new treatments being investigated through clinical trials (including targeted therapy) and through the Australasian Ocular Melanoma Alliance (AOMA).

Learn more about clinical trials and research.

Certain small eye melanomas may not need immediate treatment. Instead, you may have regular checks until there is growth or an increased risk.

→ READ MORE: Types of treatment for eye melanoma

Making treatment decisions

	Understand your options Learn about all available treatments (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted  therapy or immunotherapy), including what they involve.
	Benefits vs side effects Consider how each option may help control the cancer and what short- and long-term side effects might occur.
	Your values matter Think about what’s most important to you – quality of life, length of treatment, recovery time, fertility, work or school, and family responsibilities.
	Ask questions It’s okay to ask your doctor or health care team to repeat something or explain things in plain language.
	Second opinions Getting another medical opinion is common and can help you feel more confident.
	Time to decide Some decisions are urgent, while others allow time to think. Ask how much time you have to think about it.
	Written information Use fact sheets and reputable websites to review information at your own pace.
	Shared decision-making Decisions are usually made together with your health care team, respecting your preferences.
	Travel and costs You may need to consider whether to travel away from home to have treatment. You may be able to claim some of your travel costs via a government scheme. To find out more, call 13 11 20.

Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions

Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer