Overview
Choroidal hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor of the choroid, the blood vessel layer beneath the retina. It is not a malignant cancer, but it can affect vision due to fluid leakage or retinal detachment. It occurs as either circumscribed(isolated) or diffuse (often linked to Sturge-Weber syndrome).
Symptoms
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Central visual loss
- Visual field defects
- Orange-red dome-shaped lesion seen on fundus exam
- Rarely associated with pain
Causes & Risk Factors
- Mostly sporadic, idiopathic
- Diffuse type associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome
- Equal gender distribution
- Typically presents in adulthood
Diagnosis
- Fundus examination
- Ultrasound (B-scan shows high reflectivity)
- Fluorescein angiography
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- MRI (for diffuse involvement)
Treatment Options
- Observation if asymptomatic
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) to reduce fluid and improve vision
- Radiation therapy (plaque brachytherapy or proton beam)
- Laser photocoagulation (less commonly used today)
Prognosis
- Excellent prognosis with appropriate treatment
- Does not metastasize
- May cause permanent vision loss if untreated and fluid persists
Living with this Cancer Type
- Regular monitoring with OCT and fundus exams
- Visual rehabilitation if needed
- Psychological support if visual function is impaired
Prevention & Screening
- No known prevention
- Routine eye exams help detect early complications
- Genetic counseling for Sturge-Weber syndrome
FAQs
Q: Is choroidal hemangioma a cancer?
A：No, it’s a benign tumor but can affect vision significantly.
Q: Can it spread?
A：No, it does not metastasize.
Q: Will I go blind?
A：Not usually. With timely treatment, vision can often be preserved.
Resources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Retina International
- ClinicalTrials.gov
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