1) Ocular melanoma is the most common primary eye cancer in adults but it is NOT "just like the skin cancer melanoma but in your eye." They're in fact very different and propagate (metastasize) very differently as most research points to OM being a blood disease that can easily crop up in the liver whereas skin melanoma more often travels via the lymphatic system.
2) There is no direct evidence linking sun exposure with incidence of ocular melanoma. That has commonly been thought to be the case but no study has proven that definitively. Still, though, it's good practice to wear good UVA/UVB sunglasses and/or a hat with a brim when outdoors.
More more information, please visit http://www.ocularmelanoma.org
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I want to clear up two common misconceptions:
1) Ocular melanoma is the most common primary eye cancer in adults but it is NOT "just like the skin cancer melanoma but in your eye." They're in fact very different and propagate (metastasize) very differently as most research points to OM being a blood disease that can easily crop up in the liver whereas skin melanoma more often travels via the lymphatic system.
2) There is no direct evidence linking sun exposure with incidence of ocular melanoma. That has commonly been thought to be the case but no study has proven that definitively. Still, though, it's good practice to wear good UVA/UVB sunglasses and/or a hat with a brim when outdoors.
More more information, please visit http://www.ocularmelanoma.org
Regards,
May 5, 2010 - 10:55amGrant Allen
Ocular Melanoma Foundation
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