General

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma appears as a pink nodule on the eye surface and rarely metastasizes, but it can invade into the eye.

Conjunctival primary acquired melanosis is a flat brown pigmentation on the surface of the eye, generally recognized in adults. It carries a risk to evolve to malignant melanoma.

Conjunctival melanoma appears as a brown or pink nodule on the eye and carries a 20% risk for metastasis. Early treatment is important, especially when the tumor is small. Melanoma can invade into the eye and orbit, requiring extensive surgery.

Diagnosis

The clinical diagnosis of a conjunctival tumor is best made at slit lamp biomicroscopy by an experienced clinician, familiar with conjunctival tumors and simulating lesions.

Risk factors for metastatic spread from conjunctival melanoma have been identified and published by the Oncology Service.

Treatment

Excisional biopsy using partial lamellar scleroconjunctivectomy is the treatment of choice for most conjunctival tumors. A "no touch" technique should be employed. Cryotherapy, alcohol epitheliectomy and alcohol sclerectomy is also applied.

Topical chemotherapy is available for certain conjunctival tumors.

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