Affordable and World-Class Intraocular Melanoma Treatment in India

Intraocular melanoma treatment in India

The most prevalent primary cancer of the eye in adults is intraocular melanoma (or uveal melanoma). The choice of treatment is dependent on tumor size, location, spread, and health of the patient. The intention is to keep the person alive, and in case it is possible, keep the eye sight intact as the tumor is managed.

Main Treatment Options for Intraocular Melanoma:

Radiation Therapy (Most Common)

Plaque Brachytherapy

• A small radioactive plaque (disc) is implanted on the outer wall of the eye done surgically near the tumor.
• It sends radiation to the melanoma within a series of days.
• There is widespread use on small to medium tumors.
• Helps save the eye and in some cases sight.

Proton Beam Therapy / Stereotactic Radiotherapy

• Radiation beams which are externally directed attack the melanoma.
• Effective for large tumors or tumors near sensitive structures (like optic nerve).
• Should be very accurate in order to prevent harm to normal eye tissue.

Surgery

Enucleation (removal of the eye)

• These are recommended with very large melanoma or painful eyes or in situations when vision cannot be retained.
• The cosmetic appearance is an eye with an implant.

Local Resection / Excision

• A tumor is excised without taking out the whole eye.
• A challenging one technically, performed in a few cases.

Laser Therapy (Less Common)

Transpupillary Thermotherapy (TTT)

• Heat and Shrink Smaller melanomas with infrared laser.
• In some cases used with plaque radiotherapy.

Systemic & Targeted Therapies

• The spread of intraocular melanoma most frequently is to the liver.
• In case of metastasis, they can be treated with:
• Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab, pembrolizumab)
• Targeted therapy (in tumors containing a particular mutation, e.g., MEK inhibitors)
• In case of metastasis, liver-targeted therapies (embolization, ablation) in the event of confined metastasis to the liver.

Supportive Care

• Low-vision helps when vision is impaired.
• Prosthetic eye and rehabilitation after enucleation.
• Follow-up with liver scans and blood tests should be regularly followed, as metastasis happens frequently.

Best hospitals for intraocular melanoma in India

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket

Factors Affecting Intraocular melanoma treatment cost in India

The determinants which affect the cost of intraocular (eye) melanoma treatment in India:

Tumor size and location

• The localization or metastatic nature of the melanoma greatly affects the complexity in treatment- and consequently, the cost.

Hospital Type & Geographical Location

• Tertiary hospitals that are privately owned (e.g. Apollo, Medanta, Fortis) tend to be more expensive in terms of charging tariffs than government or non-profit hospitals.

Expert Fees & Specialty Infrastructure

• The cost of treatment by very experienced specialists, or centers that have a high level of technology (e.g., IMRT, IGRT), and are accredited will be higher.
• Other expenses are diagnostic infrastructure (e.g., BRAF mutation testing, etc.).

Treatment Cycles & Ancillary Services

• Therapy cycles- particularly those of immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation can increase expenses substantially. 

Pre-treatment and post-treatment services 

• Multiple visits, monitoring scans, follow-ups
• Hospital stay duration and choice of room (general ward vs. private) also influence total cost

Diagnostics & Supportive Care

• High-level diagnostic methods (biopsy, PET-CT, MRI, molecular tests) are increasing the bill by several tens of thousands. 
• There is also an addition of supportive services like anesthesia, low-vision aids, rehabilitation or post-enucleation prosthetics.

Intraocular melanoma surgery in India

Intraocular melanoma (uveal melanoma) is also treated less frequently than radiation therapy but, nevertheless, is not a useless treatment option in some cases, particularly when the tumor is very large or when preserving vision is no longer possible.

Types of Surgery for Intraocular Melanoma:

Enucleation (Most Common Surgery)

• What it is: Amputation of the whole afflicted eye.

When used:

• Large melanomas (>10 mm thick or >18 mm wide).
• In cases of eye vision loss.
• In case the tumor is painful, bleeds or causes high intraocular pressure (glaucoma).

After surgery:

• Orbital implant is inserted to allow the natural appearance of the eye.
• Prosthetic (artificial) eye is later fitted to make it look cosmetically.
• Relying on the other eye, patients are generally able to resume normal activities.

Local Resection (Eye-Preserving Surgery)

• What it is: Only the tumor is removed and the rest of the eye is retained.

Types:

• Iridectomy: Malignancy taken off the iris.
• Iridocyclectomy: removed tumor of the iris and ciliary body.
• Choroidectomy: Tumor excised of the choroid.

When used:

• For small tumors in the iris or anterior uveal tract.
• In well-chosen situations in which the tumor is available.

Challenges:

• Technically very difficult.
• Risk of complications: retinal detachment, bleeding, cataract, recurrence.
• Less common than radiation due to higher risks.

Exenteration (Rare, Extreme Case)

• What it is: Extraction of the whole eye and tissues.

When used:

• Very uncommon, typically in tumors which have been protruded beyond the eye into surrounding tissues.
• Impact: Damage to a large and important portion of the brain, not thought of but only taken into account in severe instances.

Top oncologists for intraocular melanoma in India

• Dr. Vishal Arora
• Dr. Sudipto Pakrasi
• Dr. Parul Maheshwari Sharma
• Dr. Anita Sethi

Intraocular melanoma treatment in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is a medical tourism service to assist international patients with the best healthcare in India:

• Referrals to NABH-certified and international-aligned hospitals and physicians in all specialties, such as oncology. 
• Offers full support: hospital & doctor recommendations, medical assessments, second opinions, cost estimates, visa and travel coordination, and post-treatment care 
• Offers clear comparative pricing and treatment planning, based on your medical case.

Why Choose GetWellGo for Intraocular Melanoma Treatment?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Intraocular Melanoma treatment.
• Expert ocular oncologists with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food