Review of cystic and solid tumors of the iris.

Authors

Carol L Shields, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Patrick W Shields, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson University
Janet Manalac, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson University
Chaisiri Jumroendararasame, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson University
Jerry A Shields, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2013

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It was published in: Oman Journal of Ophthalmology

Volume 6, Issue 3, Sep-Dec 2013, Pages 159-164.

The published version is available at DOI: 10.4103/0974-620X.122269. Copyright © Oman Ophthalmic Society

Abstract

Iris tumors are broadly classified into cystic or solid lesions. The cystic lesions arise from iris pigment epithelium (IPE) or iris stroma. IPE cysts classically remain stable without need for intervention. Iris stromal cyst, especially those in newborns, usually requires therapy of aspiration, possibly with alcohol-induced sclerosis, or surgical resection. The solid tumors included melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions. The melanocytic iris tumors include freckle, nevus (including melanocytoma), Lisch nodule, and melanoma. Information from a tertiary referral center revealed that transformation of suspicious iris nevus to melanoma occurred in 4% by 10 years and 11% by 20 years. Risk factors for transformation of iris nevus to melanoma can be remembered using the ABCDEF guide as follows: A=age young (<40 >years), B=blood (hyphema) in anterior chamber, C=clock hour of mass inferiorly, D=diffuse configuration, E=ectropion, F=feathery margins. The most powerful factors are diffuse growth pattern and hyphema. Tumor seeding into the anterior chamber angle and onto the iris stroma are also important. The nonmelanocytic iris tumors are relatively uncommon and included categories of choristomatous, vascular, fibrous, neural, myogenic, epithelial, xanthomatous, metastatic, lymphoid, leukemic, secondary, and non-neoplastic simulators. Overall, the most common diagnoses in a clinical series include nevus, IPE cyst, and melanoma. In summary, iris tumors comprise a wide spectrum including mostly iris nevus, IPE cyst, and iris melanoma. Risk factors estimating transformation of iris nevus to melanoma can be remembered by the ABCDEF guide.

Recommended Citation

Shields, Carol L; Shields, Patrick W; Manalac, Janet; Jumroendararasame, Chaisiri; and Shields, Jerry A, "Review of cystic and solid tumors of the iris." (2013). Wills Eye Hospital Papers. Paper 43.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/willsfp/43

PubMed ID

24379549