Should I be worried about a choroidal nevus?
Should I be worried if I have a choroidal nevus? Choroidal nevi are common and occur in about 5-10% of the population. Even though most nevi do not affect vision or cause any problems, they should still be watched regularly. Just like a skin mole can become cancerous, an eye nevus could do the same.
What percentage of choroidal nevus becomes melanoma?
It has been estimated that 6% of the white population harbors a choroidal nevus13 and that 1 in approximately 8000 of these nevi transform into melanoma. Further thought into age-adjusted lifetime risk revealed that by age 80 years, the risk for transformation is 0.78% and the risk would thereafter approach 1%.
Can choroidal nevus turn into melanoma?
The choroidal nevus is a benign melanocytic tumor of the ocular fundus that carries a small risk for transformation into small choroidal melanoma. According to Singh et al,3 it is estimated that the annual rate for malignant transformation of choroidal nevus into melanoma is 1 in 8845.
How can you tell the difference between a melanoma and a choroidal nevus?
Choroidal nevi and choroidal melanoma can show several overlapping features, including tumor size; color, which may be either pigmented or nonpigmented; location; associated dormant features, such as overlying retinal pigment epithelial alterations and drusen; and suspicious features, including subretinal fluid and …
Can a choroidal nevus go away?
A benign choroidal nevus requires no treatment and there is no way to safely remove them. Since a choroidal nevus can turn into a choroidal melanoma, it is reasonable to have it periodically observed by your eye care professional.
How serious is choroidal nevus?
Is a choroidal nevus dangerous? Most choroidal nevi remain benign and cause no problems. Just like freckles and moles on your skin, a choroidal nevus can rarely grow into a malignant melanoma. About one in five thousand nevi grows into a melanoma.
How often should a choroidal nevus be checked?
All choroidal nevi should be examined at least once a year. If your doctor notices certain features on your nevus, you may need to be checked more often. For example, if the nevus is particularly large or thick, has orange pigment, or is leaking fluid, then it is more likely to grow into a melanoma.
Can a choroidal nevus be removed?
Treatments. A benign choroidal nevus requires no treatment and there is no way to safely remove them. Since a choroidal nevus can turn into a choroidal melanoma, it is reasonable to have it periodically observed by your eye care professional.
How do I know if my nevus is cancerous?
Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole. Color that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Itching, pain, or tenderness in an area that doesn’t go away or goes away then comes back. Changes in the surface of a mole: oozing, scaliness, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
Can a choroidal nevus disappear?
“Whether it is a melanoma or a nevus, it is going to be extremely dark and very visible when you are viewing the choroid only,” he said. “And then when you look at the green laser, which shows only the retina, a choroidal nevus will completely disappear. A melanoma will be just as dark and will have fuzzy edges.”
Can a nevus become cancerous?
Is it cancer? No. A dysplastic nevus is more likely than a common mole to become cancer, but most do not become cancer.
Can a choroidal nevi grow into a melanoma?
Like a raised freckle on the skin, nevi can also occur inside your eye. The most common “choroidal nevus” or eye nevus are unusual and can only be seen by an eye care specialist. Like a nevus on the skin, a choroidal nevus can grow into a malignant melanoma.
Can a choroidal nevi be a freckle?
A benign appearing choroidal nevus (eye freckle). Like a raised freckle on the skin, nevi can also occur inside your eye. The most common “choroidal nevus” or eye nevus are unusual and can only be seen by an eye care specialist.
What is a choroidal nevus in the back of the eye?
What Is A Choroidal Nevus A choroidal nevus is a flat, benign pigmented area that appears in the back of the eye and is basically an eye freckle. If your doctor refers to a lesion in your eye that needs to be tracked, she is most likely talking about a choroidal nevus.
Can a choroidal nevus become a lethal condition?
Choroidal Nevus: A Common Eye Condition that can Become Lethal. A choroidal nevus is a common ocular condition that can evolve into a choroidal melanoma, which can be lethal. Choroidal Nevus Description. The choroid is the layer around the back part of the eye between the retina and the sclera.