Should I Get A Biopsy To Decide Whether To Treat My Eye Melanoma?

You may find yourself in a tricky situation where your doctors think you MIGHT have an ocular melanoma or it's possible that the lesion may be benign. Usually, when there is something borderline, close observation is what experienced ocular oncologists often recommend. Benign lesions do not change, and continued monitoring will reveal stability. However, lesions that are cancer will slowly change, and treatment can be initiated when it is warranted. Treating ocular lesions "just in case" or "in advance" or "pre-melanomas" is rarely required and can result in patients experiencing unnecessary ocular side-effects. Listen to hear about why biopsying of "small indeterminate lesions" or "small ocular melanoma" prior to treatment may not only delay treatment of true ocular melanomas, but may result in the over-treatment of benign lesions that would have done well with observation alone. Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go! For Tara McCannel's resources (including webinar links and link to my book!), visit my website: https://seyhart.com/ocularmelanoma The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.  Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.