Ocular Melanoma Epidemiology

• Ocular melanoma, while rare, is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults, primarily affecting the uveal tract. This pigmented layer of tissue beneath the eye's sclera includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, with most melanomas arising within the choroid.
• The condition originates from melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, and can potentially metastasize, commonly to the liver.
• Ocular melanoma may manifest with varied symptoms, including blurred vision, photopsia, and metamorphopsia, or remain asymptomatic for years. Diagnosis involves a comprehensive clinical evaluation, specialized tests like ocular ultrasound, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography, and in some cases, fine needle aspiration biopsy for genetic analysis.
• Ocular melanoma predominantly affects older individuals, with a higher incidence in fair-skinned individuals and those with lighter eye colors. Risk factors include dysplastic nevus syndrome, certain cutaneous nevi, and a family history of systemic and ocular cancers, possibly linked to genetic mutations like BAP1 alterations.
• In the 7MM, approximately 5,000 age-specific cases were reported in 2023, with the majority observed in individuals aged 40-70 years.
• In the United States, among the treated cases of ocular melanoma, ~1,000 first-line (1L) patients were reported in 2023, the highest among the treated cases.
• Among the EU4 and the UK, out of all mutation type-specific cases, GNA11 accounted for the highest number of cases, followed by GNAQ in 2023.

Report Summary

• The report offers extensive knowledge regarding the epidemiology segments and predictions, presenting a deep understanding of the potential future growth in diagnosis rates, disease progression, and diagnostic guidelines. It provides comprehensive insights into these aspects, enabling a thorough assessment of the subject matter.
• The report also encompasses a comprehensive analysis of Ocular Melanoma, providing an in-depth examination of its historical and projected data from 2021 to 2034. It includes detailed assumptions and the underlying rationale for the methodology.
• The report also encompasses a comprehensive analysis of Ocular Melanoma, providing an in-depth examination of its historical and projected data from 2021 to 2034. It includes detailed assumptions and the underlying rationale for the methodology.
• The report includes qualitative insights that provide an edge in understanding trends through SWOT analysis and expert insights/KOL views, including experts from various hospitals and prominent universities, patient journey that help shape and drive the Ocular Melanoma landscape.

The table given below further depicts the key segments provided in the report:

Ocular Melanoma Disease Understanding 

Ocular Melanoma Overview, and Diagnosis

Ocular melanoma is an extremely rare form of cancer that affects the eye. Although rare, it is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults. In most people, this cancer arises in a part of the eye known as the uveal tract. Ocular melanoma arises from cells called melanocytes (pigment producing cells). Ocular melanoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor that can potentially spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, most often to the liver 

Ocular melanoma can be divided into uveal and non-uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma comprises the larger group of ocular melanoma and consists of choroidal, ciliary body, and iris melanoma. Non-uveal melanoma includes conjunctival melanoma and ocular melanoma from other sites.

Ocular melanoma may or may not cause symptoms. This generally depends on the exact location and size of the tumor within the eye and if the tumor is causing secondary effects to the retina. An ocular melanoma may not cause any symptoms (clinically silent) for many years before symptoms begin.

When symptoms develop, they can include blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), irritation, pain, a perception of flashes of light in the eye (photopsia), a reduction in the total field of vision, and loss of vision. Additional symptoms include the sensation of a foreign body like a speck of dust in the field of vision (floaters), redness, bulging or displacement of the eye (proptosis), a change in the shape of the pupil, and pressure within the eye.

As with many forms of cancer, the exact underlying cause of ocular melanoma is unknown. Researchers speculate that multiple factors, including genetic and environmental ones, play a role in the disorder’s development. Current research suggests that abnormalities of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), are the underlying basis of cellular malignant transformation. Risk factors include light-colored eyes, fair skin, and an inability to tan or skin that sunburns easily. People who have another disorder called dysplastic nevus syndrome (also called atypical mole syndrome) are at a greater risk of developing melanoma, including ocular melanoma than people who do not have the disorder.

Eye Exam: Examination of the eye by an ophthalmologist is often the most important first step in diagnosing melanoma of the eye. The doctor will inquire about any symptoms, conduct an assessment of the patient's vision and eye movements, and also examine for enlarged blood vessels on the exterior of the eye, as they can indicate the presence of a tumor within the eye.

Special instruments like an ophthalmoscope, indirect ophthalmoscope or slit lamp, and gonioscopy lens may also be used by ophthalmologists to get a good look inside the eye for a tumor or other abnormality.

Imaging Tests: Imaging tests use sound waves, x-rays, magnetic fields, or radioactive particles to create pictures of the inside of the body.

Biopsy: A biopsy is often not needed to diagnose eye melanomas because almost all cases can be accurately diagnosed by the eye exam and imaging tests. Sometimes, a biopsy may be useful to check for certain gene mutations (changes) that can predict outcomes (prognosis) as well as help choose targeted drugs for the cancer. Different types of biopsies can be done for eye melanoma depending on where it is located.

Further details related to country-based variations are provided in the report…

Ocular Melanoma Epidemiology

The Ocular Melanoma epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by diagnosed incident cases, diagnosed incident cases of uveal melanoma by subtype, mutation type-specific cases, age-specific cases, stage-specific cases, and treated cases in the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2021 to 2034.

• Among the 7MM, the United States accounted for the highest number of diagnosed incident cases of Ocular Melanoma in 2023, with nearly 2,500 cases. These cases are anticipated to increase by 2034.
• In the 7MM, approximately 5,000 age-specific cases were reported in 2023, with the majority observed in individuals aged 40-70 years.
• In the United States, among the stage-specific cases in 2023, ~1,200 cases were reported for Stage II, the highest among the stages.
• Among the EU4 and the UK, ~2,400 cases were reported in 2023 for subtype-specific cases, with the majority occurring in the choroidal subtype, followed by the ciliary body and iris.

Further details related to epidemiology will be provided in the report…

KOL Views

To stay abreast of the latest trends we conduct primary research by seeking the opinions of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who work in the relevant field. This helps us fill any gaps in data and validate our secondary research.

Our team of analysts at Delveinsight connected with more than 15 KOLs across the 7MM. We contacted institutions. By obtaining the opinions of these experts, we gained a better understanding of the current epidemiology patterns in the Ocular Melanoma landscape, which will assist our clients in analyzing the overall epidemiology scenario.

The opinions of experts from various regions have been provided below:

Ocular Melanoma Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Ocular Melanoma  Epidemiology Segmentation
• Existing Epidemiological Trends and Predictions

Ocular Melanoma Report Key Strengths

• Eleven-year Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• Ocular Melanoma Epidemiology Segmentation

Ocular Melanoma Report Assessment

• Epidemiological Trends and Disease Progression
• Qualitative Analysis (SWOT, Expert Insights, Unmet Needs)

Discover critical insights into the evolving ocular melanoma market trends, explore epidemiology trends, emerging therapies, and growth opportunities through 2034.

Key Questions

• Would there be any changes observed in the epidemiological trends of Ocular Melanoma?
• Will there be improvements in the understanding of Ocular Melanoma progression?
• Would research advances lead to better epidemiological data for Ocular Melanoma?
• How will the diagnostic testing space impact the epidemiology of Ocular Melanoma?
• How will the prevalence and incidence of Ocular Melanoma evolve in the coming years?

Reasons to buy

• Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the change in Ocular Melanoma cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of diagnosed incident cases, diagnosed incident cases of uveal melanoma by subtype, mutation type-specific cases, age-specific cases, stage-specific cases, and treated cases is included.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis and insights on the treatment-eligible patient pool.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.