Iris tumors are fairly common and have been featured here on Webvision before. Most “tumors” are actually cysts or benign nevi, but malignant melanomas also can occur. Fortunately, most of them are restricted in size and they do not proliferate, but are monitored through slit lamp examination like these images. Ultrasound monitoring also is used with both approaches designed to document the size of the tumor to monitor it for growth. If and when the tumor grows, then treatment regimens may be instigated with surgical resection for small tumors. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used for larger or for more aggressive tumors, globe enucleation can be recommended.
This image demonstrates an iris tumor that is sitting in the angle. Photograph was made by James Gilman of the Moran Eye Center using a Goldmann 3-mirror lens scatter illumination with a Zeiss photo slitlamp and a Nikon D-1X camera.