Treatment of Eye Melanoma in Israel – The Shortest Path to Complete Victory Over the Disease

Modern Treatment Methods for Eye Melanoma in Israel

Eye melanoma refers to a malignant neoplasm that develops from cells producing melanin, which is responsible for the color of the iris. This term encompasses a whole group of tumours that differ from each other in their origin. The most common are tumours affecting one of the structures of the vascular coat of the eye, located between the retina and the sclera: the choroid, iris, or ciliary body. Tumours of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) and eyelid, which exhibit more aggressive growth, are less frequently encountered.

The most optimal treatment methods for eye melanoma in Israel are determined by doctors based on the type of pathological neoplasm, its size, localization features, including its relation to adjacent intraocular structures, the stage of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body and overall condition. Most often, in cases of eye cancer, oncologists at the Top Assuta medical center conduct comprehensive treatment. This may include:

• Contact radiation therapy – a type of radiation treatment that involves local exposure to the tumour with ionizing radiation. During the procedure, a small applicator plate containing radioactive material, usually isotopes of iodine, ruthenium, or palladium, is placed on the affected area of the eyeball. It is left in place for several days (the exact duration of treatment is determined individually by the doctor), after which it is removed. During this time, cancer cells are subjected to the destructive effects of radiation and die, while the surrounding healthy tissues are virtually unharmed.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery, which also relies on the action of ionizing radiation. Using state-of-the-art radiosurgical devices, multiple thin beams are directed at the melanoma from different angles, passing through healthy tissues without causing them harm, and accumulating the required dose of radiation precisely within the boundaries of the tumour. Before the session begins, the radiologists at Top Assuta create a three-dimensional model of the neoplasm using a special program to ensure high precision in radiation delivery, and then adjust the direction of the beams in real-time to protect important anatomical structures near the eye from the negative effects of radiation.
• Surgical treatment of eye melanoma in Israel is primarily used for localized small tumours that have not metastasized. In such cases, doctors can perform organ-preserving surgeries, which involve excising the tumour itself and part of the affected eye structure. Depending on the location of the cancerous formation, the intervention may take the form of:

– iridectomy, which involves resection of a small fragment of the iris;

– iridocyclectomy, which consists of excising a section of the iris and ciliary body;

– transscleral resection, which involves the removal of part of the ciliary body or choroid affected by the oncological process.

If the melanoma has invaded surrounding tissues, extending beyond the eyeball, the oncologists at the Top Assuta clinic perform enucleation, meaning they remove the eye completely. Subsequently, a high-quality prosthesis made from modern materials, perfectly matching the color and size of the remaining eye, is installed in its place. It is connected to the eye muscles and mimics the natural movements of the eyeball, indistinguishable from a healthy organ of vision.

• Transpupillary thermotherapy, which is one of the methods of infrared coagulation. It yields good results in the treatment of small melanomas. The tumour is exposed to a laser beam, which causes rapid heating and evaporation of its cells. The advantage of the method is its complete safety for adjacent healthy tissues. To achieve a higher therapeutic effect and reduce the risk of recurrence, transpupillary thermotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy.
• Cryotherapy, which involves the exposure of cancer cells to liquid nitrogen to freeze them, leading to the destruction of the malignant tumour. It is used to eliminate small localized melanomas growing on the periphery of the vascular coat of the eyeball.

Quality Diagnostics of Eye Melanoma in Israel

Thanks to high professionalism, impressive experience, and access to the latest medical equipment, the doctors at Top Assuta Hospital always accurately diagnose eye melanoma, excluding other ophthalmological pathologies with similar symptoms, and precisely determine the key characteristics of the tumour – its type, size, localization, and spread, which ultimately allows them to develop the optimal therapy scheme for the patient.

The diagnostics of eye melanoma in Israel is distinguished not only by high accuracy but also by speed, which is crucial for successful treatment. It takes an average of 3–5 working days and is conducted in three stages.

Stage 1: Consultation with an Ocular Oncologist

Thanks to a well-structured and optimized medical program, the patient can see the treating physician, whom they have independently chosen from among the best specialists in the country, on the very first day of their stay in Israel. The doctor carefully studies the medical history, reviews the results of previously conducted examinations, and examines the external and internal structures of the affected eye using special optics. After that, they refer the patient for the necessary diagnostic procedures.

Stage 2: Detailed Examination

The next day, the patient begins to sequentially undergo the examinations prescribed by the doctor, which may include:

• biomicroscopy – examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eyeball using a slit lamp and special microscope;
• ophthalmoscopy – used to identify pathological neoplasms;
• ultrasound examination – allows for the detection of changes in intraocular structures, identification of the tumour, determination of its size, and establishment of its exact localization;
• fundus photography – with its help, the ophthalmologist assesses the condition of the fundus and identifies secondary changes;
• computed and/or magnetic resonance imaging – help establish the extent of the oncological process and the presence of metastases in adjacent structures and distant organs;
• fluorescein angiography – examination of the capillaries and vessels of the retina to determine the source of blood supply to the melanoma.

Stage 3: Development of a Treatment Plan

The results of the examinations are reviewed at a special council, which includes oncologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, surgeons, and other specialists. They carefully study the diagnostic data and determine the treatment strategy, selecting the anti-cancer methods that will be effective in the specific case.

Treatment of Eye Melanoma in Israel: Cost