Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the conjunctiva and often grow onto the corneal surface. Both conjunctival melanoma and squamous carcinoma have been associated with sun (ultraviolet UV-ray) exposure, so Dr. Finger says, "Think of Sunglasse

Large Clinical Trials Won't Change Physics

Oct 5th, 2020 12m 48s

This Podcast takes a closer look at what I do to maximize eye radiation outcomes and minimize patient risk. Until we have a treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma, destruction of the intraocular tumor will be the best way to prevent and thus

Super-Thick Amniotic Membrane Grafts

Sep 28th, 2020 7m 33s

This Podcase discusses a technique I introduced to ophthalmic oncology. Sometimes, when eye cancer specialists have to remove a large tumor from the surface of the eye, we created a large tissue-defect on its surface. The surgeon cannot leave i

Iris Tumors

Sep 14th, 2020 15m 58s

Iris tumors are visible. Patients see them in the mirror and eye care specialists view them through the clear cornea. We use specialized ultrasound (UBM) and anterior segment OCT tests to reveal the contents, distribution, and size of these tum

Partial Sclerouvectomy PSLU Endoresection or Surgical Removal for Uveal Melanoma

Aug 31st, 2020 12m 32s

Cancer textbooks tell us to remove or destroy primary cancers to prevent spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body. In the 1950s, most eyes with choroidal melanoma were removed. Some small anterior choroidal, ciliary body and iris melanoma

Vascular Tumors within the Eye

Aug 24th, 2020 12m 9s

There are many different types of vascular tumors within the eye. In the uvea or vascular layer beneath the retina, there occur both circumscribed and diffuse hemangiomas. The latter or diffuse variant is commonly associated with the congenital

Basic Eyelid Tumors II Treatment Overview

Aug 10th, 2020 6m 7s

Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the eyelids. Once the clinical or pathologic diagnosis is established it is time to consider treatment. Eye cancer specialists will recommend either removal or destruction of the eyelid cancer. Depending on

Basic Eyelid Tumors Diagnostic Overview

Aug 3rd, 2020 8m 4s

Tumors and cancers commonly occur on the eyelids. Most have been associated with sun (ultraviolet UV-ray) exposure. The most common eyelid cancer is basal cell carcinoma, but squamous carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and melanoma can occur. If t

The Nevus of Ota and Ocular Melanosis

Jul 27th, 2020 5m 44s

Oculodermal melanocytosis or the Nevus of Ota means that there are increased numbers of cells called melanocytes in the eyelid skin, sclera and uveal vascular layer of the eye. Typically presenting at birth, it can increase during puberty and p

Guidelines (ABS-AAPM) for Eye Plaque Radiation Therapy for Melanoma and Retinoblastoma

Jul 13th, 2020 24m 26s

In 2014, the first multicenter, international consensus guidelines for ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy was "open access" published in the journal "Brachytherapy." Dr. Finger was selected to Chair the Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force which he

Lasers, Lasers, and More Lasers for Choroidal Melanoma

Jul 6th, 2020 19m 48s

Lasers have long been used to treat eye diseases. Though largely unsuccessful as primary treatment for intraocular cancers, laser continues to play an important role in ophthalmic oncology care. This podcast presents the history of ophthalmic

Radiation Therapy for Orbital Tumors (Part II)

Jun 29th, 2020 15m 29s

Orbital radiation therapy has long provided eye and vision sparing treatments for patients with benign and malignant tumors. These include tumors that originate in the orbit and those that extend from the central nervous system, skin, sinuses,

General Orbital Radiation for Ophthalmologists (Part I)

Jun 22nd, 2020 15m 12s

There exists a multitude of radiation modalities used to treat ocular, orbital, and adnexal tumors. Each type of radiation machine or method has a characteristic pattern of dose distribution within the eye and orbit. The specific pattern and am

AJCC Staging, The UICC, Ophthalmic Oncology Research and Clinical Care

Jun 15th, 2020 11m 2s

The American Joint Committee on Cancer along with the International Union for Cancer Care have long supported the use of a standard language to define patients with cancer. The 7th and 8th editions of the AJCC-UICC staging systems have now been

Orbital Radiation Therapy Boost

Jun 8th, 2020 13m 4s

There exist many different types of orbital cancers. Typically diagnosed by biopsy, few can be completely removed. In these cases, radiation therapy offers a method to treat residual and even clinically undetectable microscopic left over tumor

Plaque Versus Proton

Jun 1st, 2020 12m 17s

Many kinds of radiation have been used to treat choroidal melanoma. However, they can be divided into two main categories, implanted radiation plaques and externally administered radiation beams. While the most common radiation plaques include:

Second Opinions

May 25th, 2020 9m 21s

One of the most difficult subjects is second opinions. Dr. Finger says, "second opinions are great as long as both doctors agree." When they don't, sometimes they create more problems than expected. So, what is the patient to do when their two

Office Visual Aids help Patients Understand their Problem and Probably Outcomes

May 18th, 2020 9m 33s

This podcast describes the methods used at The New York Eye Cancer Center to show and thus teach patients about their disease, need for treatment and probable outcomes (for sight and life). For example, each examination room has a 55" 4K screen

Radiation Optic Neuropathy

May 11th, 2020 8m 58s

Though the optic nerve is a relatively radiation-resistant tissue; both plaque and external beam irradiation for eye cancer can cause radiation optic nerve damage. Divided by location, anterior radiation optic neuropathy and radiation papilliti

Muscles, Muscles, Muscles… Improving Local Control

May 4th, 2020 12m 16s

The best way to prevent metastatic melanoma is to destroy the primary intraocular cancer during the first treatment. Dr. Finger explains why the American Brachytherapy Societry Eye Plaque Guidelines defines normal plaque placement as covering t

Chorodial Hemangioma

Apr 27th, 2020 6m 48s

Hemangiomas are typically benign blood vessel tumors. Like the cherry-red spots sometimes seen on the skin, these tumors form within the eye, beneath the retina in the vascular choroid. Unfortunately, sometimes the choroidal hemangioma's blood

Research and Publication Types

Apr 20th, 2020 9m 25s

Dr. Finger discusses the process of research and publication in ophthalmic oncology. This podcast reveals the foundational elements of peer-review publication, what screening is applied and how that research is relatively unavailable to the pub

Choroidal Melanoma Surveillance for Metastatic Disease - EEC014

Apr 13th, 2020 11m 33s

If doctor diagnoses an intraocular melanoma, he or she will recommend an evaluation to see if it has spread. This is called systemic staging. In that most choroidal melanoma metastases first show up in the liver, some centers will play the odds

Informed Consent for Choroidal Melanoma

Apr 6th, 2020 22m 35s

We must remember that our patients have very limited knowledge of their cancer, our methods of diagnosis and treatment options. Therefore, it is necessary for the eye cancer specialist to educate their patient for shared decision making. This p

Choroidal Melanoma Surveillance

Mar 30th, 2020 11m 44s

Initial work up prior to surgery and subsequent surveillance after definitive local treatment varies from center to center. In this PodCast, Dr. Finger explains his methods of initial staging and subsequent surveillance for metastatic choroidal