Iris melanoma
What is it?
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| Multiple iris naevi |
Iris melanoma is a malignant tumour or the iris.
Pigmented iris lesions
The iris is the coloured part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. In most people the iris is a uniform blue or brown colour.
In some individuals clumps of pigment cells are present on the surface of the iris. Known as iris naevi, these 'freckles' develop early in life and are quite normal in their behaviour. They almost never cause problems.
In very rare circumstanses iris naevi can change into malignant melanomas and it is also possible for melanomas to arise spontaneously.
Iris melanomas are cancers that slowly grow and will eventually threaten the eye and vision if not removed. In approximately one in ten patients the tumour will spread to other parts of the body and can cause death.