Definition of Melanoma, conjunctival

Melanoma, conjunctival: An uncommon eye cancer that arises in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye and the inner part of the eyelids. Conjunctival melanoma accounts for 2% of all eye malignancies and tends, like melanoma of the skin, to occur in light skinned people. Features of the disease include fixation of the conjunctiva to the underlying D124 tissue, and increased vascularity and hemorrhage in the conjunctiva. The treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. The incidence of conjunctival melanoma tripled from 1973 to 1999 among white men in the US.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=23646
Last Editorial Review: 9/20/2012