The uvea is three-layered part of the eye. It is made up of the choroid, iris and ciliary body. Uveal melanoma can form in any of these layers that become cancerous. This can occur in any part of the uvea: the iris, the ciliary body and/or the choroid. Uveal melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults. Although it is called melanoma, it is much rarer than skin melanoma, approximately 200 people are diagnosed in Canada each year.

Unlike skin melanoma, which is often closely linked to UV radiation damage from the sun or other sources, there is no hard evidence to support causal relationship. However, there are factors that were linked to increased risk for uveal melanoma

A person with uveal melanoma may have no symptoms and the tumour can be discovered during routine eye exam. Symptoms may include vision change, eye pain and redness. A person with melanoma in the iris may notice changes in the iris as presence of a growth, or changes in iris colour and changes in the size and shape of the pupil.

Genetic testing of uveal melanoma tumor cells is performed by obtaining a sample of cells from the eye tumour. This can be done at the time of plaque radiation therapy or taken from a removed eye. This sample is performed by your surgeon and sent directly to the laboratory

Subungual Melanoma (SM) is a rare form of melanoma that occurs under a nail and can effect the hads or feet. SM is more common in people with darker skin pigment.

A proper examination by a dermatologist is needed to make a full diagnosis. Use ABCDEF acronym (Age, Brown-black band, change, digit, extension, family history)

A SM diagnosis can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to face the challenges alone. Melanoma Canada offers a wide variety of free services to support patients, families and caregivers through every step of their journey.

Access to a list of rapid access clinics, mole mapping clinics and other skin cancer specialists across Canada. Additional resources from the Canadian Dermatology Association are provided.

Melanoma can occur in skin of colour individuals. Learn common myths and the early signs of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and subungual melanoma, the most common forms of people with skin of colour.

Wondering how high your risk of acral lentigninous melanoma is?

ALM usually presents as dark spots (that may look like bruises) on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, that don’t heal. Add details about the acronym CUBED (colour, uncertain, bleeding, enlargement, delay).

A ALM diagnosis can be overwhelming. Melanoma Canada offers a wide variety of free services to support patients, families and caregivers through every step of their journey.

Mucosal melanoma is a rare form of melanoma found in the mucous membranes. Mucosal melanoma tends to grow and spread quickly. his form of melanoma is not caused by UV exposure. Mucosal melanoma makes up only 1 to 2 out of 100 melanoma cases.

Mucosal melanoma is most commonly found in the head & neck region, more precisely in the nasal cavity. Learn the common sites, signs and symptoms of mucosal melanoma

The risk factors for mucosal melanoma still remain unclear and many people who do develop mucosal melanoma don’t have any of the below risk factors. Mucosal melanoma can affect anyone. Learn some risk factors for mucosal melanoma.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is the rapid and uncontrolled growth of a collection of specialized skin cells (Merkel cells) that forms into cancer. It is a rare type of skin cancer that tends to grow quickly and has a high likelihood of metastasis compared to other types of non-melanoma skin cancers.

The main risk factor for merkel cell carcinoma is high exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other forms of UV radiation such as tanning beds or sun lamps. Learn more about other risk factors associated with merkel cell carcinoma.

Some signs of merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are: A single firm, dome-shaped or raised lump A pink, red, or purple lump or bump on the skin Lumps that are typically painless. Despite being painless, there is the chance that they may turn into ulcers or sores or the skin on top of the growth breaks and bleeds.