Ocular oncology deals with tumors of eyes and periocular structures. Occur Oncology Center is a unit of Ophthalmology Clinic of Koç University Hospital and the center uses advanced radiological, medical and ophthalmic diagnostic tools for differential diagnosis of all ocular oncology patients. Having profound experience in relevant fields, our specialists uses state-of-the-art devices to diagnose benign or malignant ocular tumors of childhood. The center is an international diagnosis and treatment unit, where high-tech means are available, such as fluorescein angiography, Indiocyanine Green (ICG) angiography, high-resolution optic coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, ultrasound biomicroscopy, computerized visual field test and electrophysiological tests.
Our center can treat all tumors of eyes and periocular tissues, especially including serious ocular tumors, such as malignant melanoma and retinoblastoma. These tumors are broadly divided into three groups; benign and malignant tumors of (1) iris, ciliary body and choroid, (2) conjunctiva and (3) retina. Tumors of iris, ciliary body and choroid include pigmented (dark colored) masses, hemangioma, metastases, lymphomas and malignant melanoma. Cysts, pigmented masses, nevus, pterygium, squamous cell cancers, lymphomas and malignant melanomas are tumors of the conjunctiva. Retinal tumors are hemangioblastoma and retinoblastoma, but lymphomas may also be detected in retina.
Following procedures are performed for treatment of ocular tumors in our clinic: Radiotherapy, plaque radiotherapy, LINAC-based radiotherapy, laser and photodynamic laser (cold laser), transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), chemotherapy and surgical excision of tumors. In plaque radiotherapy, membranes of eyes incised and a radioactive plaque is placed over the tumor, while radiation is delivered to the location of tumor in LINAC-based radiotherapy, but important structures of the eye, such as retina, nerves and lacrimal gland, are protected. Laser and photodynamic laser are reserved for tumors with limited thickness and they can be used for shrinkage of the tumor and they do not harm healthy tissues.