Barts Cancer Centre | Cancer types | Eye cancer
Eye cancer
Our service
Type of treatment available
Research and clinical trials
For patients
For clinicians
Sources for further information
Meet the team
Our service
Barts and The London Cancer Centre is one of only three services in England able to treat adult eye cancer. We are also one of only a few specialist centres in the country for treating children’s eye cancer; a very rare condition called retinoblastoma.
The majority of patients that we treat have a type of eye cancer called uveal tract melanoma, although this is very rare and there are only around 500 to 600 new cases diagnosed each year in England. We treat about half of these cases at Barts Cancer Centre.
We are also experts in treating other types of cancer affecting the eye, including benign vascular tumours, intraocular lymphoma and uveal tract metastases.
We offer a highly specialised, well established service for ocular surface tumours such as conjunctival lymphoma, conjunctival melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and associated conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia.
As a specialist centre, we accept referrals from other hospitals all over the country, with around 30 new referrals each week.
For details of our retinoblastoma service for children, please visit their website at www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/retinoblastoma.
Type of treatments available
The treatments and equipment used at our centre are at the forefront of modern healthcare. As with all of our services at Barts Cancer Centre, treatments offered will depend on individual cases and the stage of cancer. This will be discussed in detail with every patient by one of our medical team once a diagnosis has been made. Our treatments include:
State-of-the-art radiotherapy
We use radiation treatment such as ruthenium plaque brachytherapy, strontium beta radiotherapy, proton beam radiotherapy and lens sparing external beam radiotherapy. All of which deliver a very targeted treatment to the site of the cancer, to reduce any damage to surrounding, healthy areas.
We work closely with the radiation physics department at Barts to provide a highly specialist brachytherapy service for our patients. Brachytherapy is a state-of-the-art technique that involves the insertion of radioactive sources into the patient to kill the cancer cells. At Barts Cancer Centre, we have a dedicated brachytherapy theatre that is purpose-built for this technique. For patients with eye cancer, a small radioactive plaque is surgically placed on the eye whilst the patient is under general anesthetic. The plaque is then removed several days later. During the treatment process, while the plaque is still attached, patients are cared by us in hospital, in specially designed room.
This successful treatment destroys eye cancer and, in some cases, preserves vision. The technique was pioneered at Barts 80 years ago and has been perfected since then. Approximately 200 patients benefit from this treatment every year.
Laser treatments
We offer laser treatments such as photodynamic therapy or diode laser thermotherapy.
Surgery
We are experienced in innovative cancer surgery such as sentinel node biopsy for ocular surface tumours and eye biopsy techniques. Complex oculoplastic surgery is also performed such as exenteration or removal of the eye (enucleation) and replacement with an integrated eye implant, which can give movement to the artificial eye.
Chemotherapy
Topical chemotherapy is used for ocular surface cancer and intraocular chemotherapy is available for intraocular lymphoma. Systemic chemotherapy is used for metastatic uveal tract melanoma and retinoblastoma. Selective ophthalmic artery chemotherapy is available for retinoblastoma.
Digital imaging technology
All patients undergo high specification B scan ultrasonography and digital photographyin the outpatient clinic to provide detailed images of the eye prior to diagnosis and treatment. Digital technology is used to record, store and access images immediately which enable rapid diagnosis and continuity of care.
Research and clinical trials
Barts has been at the forefront of medical discovery since it was founded nearly 900 years ago and today, our research continues to be recognised for its originality, significance and rigour. The results of the work we do here means we are constantly improving the treatments and care we can offer patients.
We have a range of research and clinical trials underway in the field of eye cancer. Research is ongoing in the cytogenetic analysis of uveal tract melanoma using FISH. This is also a clinical service available for patients who wish to enter a selective screening program. If you are a patient and are interested in this trial, please speak to your medical team for more details.
We also have access to state-of-the-art PET/CT imaging, which is available as a research tool to screen for metastatic disease and determine metabolic activity of the primary eye cancer.
Sentinel node biopsy is being pioneered at Barts Cancer Centre.
Some of our patients with metastases are entered into clinical trails at the Marsden Hospital.
For patients
We have first class dedicated clinics, operating theatres and imaging at Barts Cancer Centre so our patients can have all their tests and treatment in one place with ongoing support from our dedicated team. For those patients requiring surgery, our onsite anesthesia support and access to intensive care beds allow for more specialist and individual care, whenever it is needed.
We work closely with eye specialists at Moorfields Eye Hospital and offer an outreach service there for patients who require further consultation, investigation and specialist ultrasound reporting.
For clinicians
We consistently achieve national access targets for patients with suspected cancer and for treatment following diagnosis. Referral criteria and forms are all available here on our website. Please click here for referral forms.
To find out more about our eye cancer services, please contact our Service lead in Oncology
Name: Victoria Cohen, Consultant Eye Surgeon and Ocular oncologist
Tel: 020 346 56863
Email victoria.cohen@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
If you have an urgent referral please contact Carmel Brennan on our hot line 07901 009102.
Sources for further information
Vicky Clement Jones Macmillan Cancer Information Centre at Barts, click here for more information
Cancer Research UK website
www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/eye-cancer/index.htm
NHS Choices website
www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-eye/Pages/Definition.aspx
Barts and The London’s retinoblastoma website
www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/Retinoblastoma_Service
Barts and The London’s retinoblastoma genetic screening website
www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/Retinoblastoma
From the Macmillan, cancer support website
www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Eye/Melanomaoftheeye.aspx
Meet the team
Consultant Eye Surgeon (Ocular oncologist)
t: 020 346 56864
Ocular Oncology Secretary
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurse counsellor
