Tumor of the Eye in Cats

Uveal Melanoma in Cats

The uvea is the part of the eye that is made up of the iris (the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil), the ciliary body (which produces the fluid within the eye [aqueous humour] and controls the ciliary muscle contractions that aid in near focus), the choroid (which provides oxygen and nourishment to the retina – the inner surface of the eye), and the pars plana (at the front of the eye, where the iris and sclera [white of the eye] touch). A melanoma is clinically characterized by malignant growth of melanocytes, cells that are dark in appearance due to the inclusion of the melanin pigment.

Uveal melanomas in cats usually arise from the front of the iris’ surface, with extension to the ciliary body and choroid. These tumors tend to be flat and diffuse, not nodular (unlike intraocular melanomas, which are raised masses). Such tumors initially have a benign (non-spreading) clinical and cellular appearance. However, an affected cat may develop metastatic disease (due to the spread of the uveal melanoma) up to several years later. The metastatic rate may be up to 63 percent. These tumors are also called diffuse iris melanomas – that is, melanomas of the iris that are capable of spreading. This is the most common type of eye tumor in cats.

Symptoms and Types

• Possible iris color change
• Dark spot(s) on surface of eye
• Thick and irregular iris
• Possible secondary glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
  • Dilated pupil
  • Enlarged (bulging) eyeball
  • Leads to blindness

Causes

• Unknown

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, including a complete ophthalmic exam (including testing pressure within the eye and proper drainage of the eye’s aqueous humor). During the ophthalmic exam, tonometry will be used to measure the pressure in the eyes, and gonioscopy will be used to see if the melanoma has spread to the drainage angle. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy can be used to gage the size and location of the mass.

A complete blood profile will also be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. Evidence of metastasis may may be present in the blood profile, or the blood count may show increased white blood cells, which can be indicative of the body's immune system fighting the malignant cell growth. You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health and onset of symptoms.

X-rays and an ultrasound may also help to determine the extent of metastatic disease in the eye. If there are melanoma cells in the angle between the iris and the cornea, and if there are melanoma cells in the ciliary venous plexus (where veins from the ciliary body drain blood from the eye), then metastatic (cancerous) cells have probably spread throughout the body. However, this metastasis may not be evident until a few years after the initial growth of cells. 

Treatment

• Older cat with slow progression of the disease – consider simply performing periodic examinations and serial photography to monitor the progress of the lesion(s)
• Younger cat with rapidly progressive disease – consider removing the eye (enucleation)
• There is some evidence that small, isolated, freckle-like lesions have been successfully treated with laser (diode) photoablation (laser surgery), although no controlled or long-term follow-up studies have been performed to conclusively confirm this
• Mild to moderate diffuse iris involvement – most ophthalmologists prefer a conservative approach consisting of periodic examinations and serial photography to monitor the growth progress of the lesion(s); enucleation is an alternative if progression can be documented or the owner is highly concerned about the potential for spread of the cancer
• Extensive iris involvement resulting in changes in pupil shape or mobility, extra-iris extension, invasion into the drainage angle (where the aqueous humor drains) or secondary glaucoma (high pressure in the eye due to cancerous cells blocking the drainage angle) – enucleation of the eyeball is suggested
• Removal of the eyeball must be undertaken with caution and precision; in humans removal of an eyeball afflicted with cancer has been associated with metastasis to the left orbit or to the body

Living and Management

One long-term study shows that patients with early iris melanoma have no increased risk of life-threatening cancer spread compared to controls, but patients with advanced lesions had dramatically shortened survival times. Your cat's prognosis will depend on if and how much the melanoma has spread within the eye. Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments with you every three months to monitor your cat's intraocular pressure if you decline to have surgery performed on the eye. X-rays to check for metastasis should be taken every six months after the initial diagnosis was made.