Iris Melanoma In Cats Prognosis

Although a small number of cases of feline diffuse iris melanoma have been documented to metastasize the prognosis is not known. One long term study shows that patients with early iris melanoma have no increased risk of life threatening cancer spread compared to controls but patients with advanced lesions had dramatically shortened survival times. Your cats prognosis will depend on if and how much the melanoma has spread within the eye.
iris melanoma in cats prognosis

They are usually benign but may cause problems by increasing the intra ocular pressure glaucoma which can lead to blindness.

Iris melanoma in cats prognosis. For melanosis the prognosis is excellent. Iris melanosis is a feline specific condition where the iris becomes pigmented. Iris melanosis is benign but it can transform into malignant cancer. Iris melanosis and malignant melanoma.

Melanomas of the iris have been described to spread to other areas of the body. There is a change in the appearance of the iris but there are no risks to systemic health with this condition. Understanding iris melanosis in cats. Another study showed that some cats with later stage iris melanoma have metastasis to the liver andor lungs.

In cats the most common melanoma of the eye has its origin in the iris anterior uvea see diagram. The pigment is a result of melanocytes or pigmented cells inappropriately replicating and spreading over the iris surface. One study showed that cats with iris melanoma which have enucleation before they develop glaucoma had a lifespan equal to regular cats while cats with iris melanoma and glaucoma had a shorter lifespan. In this matched observational study the survival time of 34 cats with enucleation due to histologically confirmed diffuse iris melanoma was recorded.