Intraocular and Orbital Cancers

Abstract

The American Cancer Society predicts an estimated 3400 new cases and 390 deaths from cancers of the eye and orbit in the United States in 2020. Due to the unique anatomy of the eye, these cancers present with many unique challenges and therapeutic opportunities that are not seen in cancers of other anatomic sites. Challenges such as the blood retinal barrier, the immune privileged state of the eye, and the tendency for ocular toxicities can make these cancers resistant to traditional therapies. The eye also demonstrates unique therapeutic opportunities such as the ability to directly visualize and treat tumors in many cases as well as multiple focal routes of delivery. This chapter will provide an overview of many common and rare ocular cancers with a focus on treatments and therapeutic opportunities. The cancers covered include retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, ocular medulloepithelioma, primary intraocular lymphoma, orbital adnexal lymphoma, orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, lacrimal gland cancers, ocular surface squamous neoplasia, and conjunctival melanoma.