Glossary of Terms
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A
ABLATION
A medical technique whereby a needle, containing a heating device or other element at its end, is placed through the skin into a tumour using imaging guidance. Typically the tumour is then burned off or frozen depending on the particular type of ablation being used. Different types of ablation include: CRYOABLATION, MICROWAVE ABLATION (MWA) or RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA).
ADAPTIVE TRIAL
A type of clinical trial where learning takes place from previous results whilst the trial is ongoing. Where trial arms are seen to be effective or less effective, the trial arms are tweaked to accelerate potential promising treatments and to drop or reduce those that seem less effective.
ADJUVANT
A therapy given after initial treatment for the primary cancer. The intention of an adjuvant therapy is to prevent future metastatic disease (spread of the disease).
ADVERSE REACTION or ADVERSE EVENT
Also known as side effects, adverse reactions include any undesired actions or effects of the experimental drug or treatment. Experimental treatments must be evaluated for both immediate and long-term side effects.
APPROVAL
A drug, device or biologic must be approved by a country’s regulatory agency before it can be marketed. The approval process involves several steps including preclinical (animal) studies, clinical trials for safety and efficacy, filing of a New Drug Application (NDA) in the United States or Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in Europe by the manufacturer, regulatory agency review of the application, and agency approval/rejection of application.
ARM
Any of the treatment groups in a clinical trial. Most randomized trials have two “arms,” but some have three “arms,” or even more.
AJCC STAGE
A standardized cancer staging system used to describe the size and extent of a tumor.
AMSLER GRID
A simple grid pattern used to monitor changes in central vision and detect problems affecting the retina or macula.
ANTERIOR CHAMBER
The fluid-filled space between the cornea and iris.
ANTI-VEGF INJECTION
Medication injected into the eye to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and swelling.
B
BAP1
A gene commonly associated with higher metastatic risk when altered.
BIOPSY
Removal of a small sample of tissue or cells for testing.
BRACHYTHERAPY (PLAQUE THERAPY)
A common treatment where a radioactive plaque is temporarily attached to the outside of the eye to deliver radiation directly to the tumor.
C
CATARACT
Clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause blurry vision and sensitivity to light.
CATARACT SURGERY
Removal of a cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial lens.
CHOROID
The vascular layer located between the retina and sclera. Most uveal melanomas develop in the choroid.
CHOROIDAL MELANOMA
A melanoma that develops within the choroid. The most common form of uveal melanoma.
CHROMOSOME 3 (MONOSOMY 3)
Loss of one copy of chromosome 3, associated with increased metastatic risk.
CILIARY BODY
Part of the uveal tract that produces fluid within the eye and helps focus vision.
CILIARY BODY MELANOMA
A melanoma arising from the ciliary body.
CLASS 1 GEP
Gene expression profile associated with a lower risk of metastasis.
CLASS 2 GEP
Gene expression profile associated with a higher risk of metastasis.
CLINICAL TRIAL
A research study evaluating new treatments, procedures, or approaches to care.
CONTRAST AGENT
A substance used during imaging studies to improve visibility of structures and tissues.
CORNEA
The clear front surface of the eye that helps focus incoming light.
CT SCAN
Computed Tomography scan that uses X-rays to create detailed images.
D
DILATED EYE EXAM
An examination in which eye drops are used to enlarge the pupil, allowing the doctor to view the retina and other internal structures.
E
EIF1AX
A gene mutation often associated with lower metastatic risk.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Requirements that determine whether a patient can participate in a clinical trial.
ENUCLEATION
Surgical removal of the eye.
EXTRASCLERAL EXTENSION
Tumor growth extending beyond the outer wall of the eye.
F
FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY (FNAB)
A procedure that uses a very small needle to collect tumor cells for genetic testing.
FUNDUS
The interior surface of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels.
FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Specialized photographs used to document the appearance of the retina and ocular tumors.
G
GEP (GENE EXPRESSION PROFILE)
A test that evaluates tumor biology and helps estimate metastatic risk.
GNAQ / GNA11
Genes commonly mutated in uveal melanoma.
I
IMMUNOTHERAPY
Treatment that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
INFORMED CONSENT
The process of learning about a study and agreeing to participate.
INTRAOCULAR
Located inside the eye.
INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE (IOP)
The pressure inside the eye. Elevated pressure may increase the risk of glaucoma.
IRIS
The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.
IRIS MELANOMA
A melanoma arising within the iris.
L
LARGEST BASAL DIAMETER (LBD)
The widest measurement of a tumor.
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS (LFTs)
Blood tests that assess liver health.
M
MACULA
The central portion of the retina responsible for detailed central vision.
MACULAR EDEMA
Swelling of the macula caused by fluid accumulation, often occurring after radiation treatment.
METASTASIS
The spread of cancer from its original location to another part of the body.
MRI (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING)
An imaging test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images.
N
NED (NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE)
No detectable cancer is found on examination or imaging.
NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA
A serious condition in which abnormal blood vessels increase pressure inside the eye.
O
OCT (OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY)
A non-invasive imaging test that creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retina.
OD
Oculus dexter (right eye).
OS
Oculus sinister (left eye).
OCULAR MELANOMA (OM)
A general term for melanoma occurring in or around the eye.
OCULAR ONCOLOGIST
An ophthalmologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye cancers.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
A medical doctor specializing in eye diseases, surgery, and vision care.
OPTIC NERVE
The nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
OVERALL SURVIVAL (OS)
The length of time patients remain alive after diagnosis or treatment.
P
PARTIAL RESPONSE (PR)
A measurable decrease in tumor size after treatment.
PERIPHERAL VISION
Vision outside of your central field of view.
POSTERIOR SEGMENT
The back portion of the eye containing the retina, choroid, vitreous, and optic nerve.
PRAME
A biomarker that may provide additional information regarding metastatic risk.
PROTON BEAM THERAPY
A highly targeted form of radiation therapy used to treat ocular melanoma.
PROGRESSIVE DISEASE (PD)
Cancer that has grown or spread despite treatment.
PUPIL
The opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.
R
RADIATION RETINOPATHY
Damage to the retina caused by radiation treatment.
RADIATION THERAPY
Treatment using high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells.
RETINA
The light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.
RETINAL DETACHMENT
A condition where the retina separates from underlying tissue and requires prompt medical attention.
S
SCLERA
The white outer protective layer of the eye.
Common Abbreviations
AJCC
American Joint Committee on Cancer
FNAB
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
GEP
Gene Expression Profile
IOP
Intraocular Pressure
LBD
Largest Basal Diameter
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography
OM
Ocular Melanoma
PRAME
Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma
TTT
Transpupillary Thermotherapy
UM
Uveal Melanoma
VEGF
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
VA
Visual Acuity
OS
Oculus Sinister (Left Eye)
OD
Oculus Dexter (Right Eye)