Ocular oncology landscape ‘rapidly evolving’
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — The landscape of ocular oncology is “rapidly evolving” in a way similar to medical oncology, a speaker said during a presentation here.
At Hawaiian Eye 2022, Basil K. Williams Jr., MD, discussed how anterior segment OCT can be a “valid help adjunct” to clinical exams, although it is not a replacement for them. OCT can also help physicians differentiate between different lesions, Williams said, although histopathology is still needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
“OCT is not only helpful for diagnosis of the lesion, but it is also helpful afterwards because you're not always doing surgical excision and sometimes identifying whether or not the lesion has completely gone away,” Williams said.
For retinoblastoma, according to Williams, the most important diagnostic tool is clinical examination. Retinoblastoma tumors can be particularly dangerous for patients, he said.
“If these cells escape the eye, they are going to cause significant problems not only for the orbit, but for the risk of metastasis,” Williams said.
Williams also discussed treatment options for uveal melanoma, which include diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy, proton beam radiotherapy, local resection and enucleation.
“For posterior segment tumors, the treatment algorithms, screening approaches and the reduction of treatment-related complications are evolving,” Williams said. “Liquid biopsy may further advance both diagnosis and prognostication for retinoblastoma and uveal melanoma.”
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Williams Jr. BK. What’s new in the world of ocular oncology? Presented at: Hawaiian Eye; Jan. 15-21, 2022; Waikoloa, Hawaii.
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