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September 23, 2022
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VIDEO: Optometrists should evaluate patients for cancer

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LAS VEGAS – Optometrists often see patients who may have cancer on their head and neck, so they should know how to evaluate the signs, according to Andrew S. Gurwood, OD, FAAO, and Marc D. Myers, OD, FAAO, at Vision Expo West.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer, Myers said, but Gurwood said it is easy to treat.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common, Myers said. “It does have a higher rate of metastatic disease and is more associated with mortality as well as morbidity,” he said.

Meibomian cell or sebaceous cell carcinoma has a higher mortality, but the lesions may be mistaken for blepharitis or a cyst, Gurwood said. A tell-tale sign is madarosis.

Malignant melanoma has the highest association with metastatic disease and mortality, according to Myers.

“Fortunately, with advanced medicine, earlier identification and better treatment sources, we are getting more reduced likelihood of mortality associated with that diagnosis,” he said.

Gurwood shared the “ABCDE” rule: A is for asymmetry, B is for border irregularity, C is for color, D is for diameter and E is for elevated.

If you see any of these characteristics, “you should be highly suspicious,” he said.