Ocular tumors

Ocular tumours, an umbrella term, includes a diverse number of benign and malignant neoplasm. The basic knowledge of ocular tumours is important, especially for a practising general ophthalmologist who is a crucial link between the patient and the ocular oncology specialist. It is, therefore, relevant that this publication has come to light.

The book is concise and has contributions from a number of renowned authors. This multi-author nature of the book allows for specialized views about every particular tumour diagnosis and management. The layout and formatting of the book allow a relatively comfortable read. The complexity of these topics has been broken down to simple words.

The book comprises 11 chapters. The chapters are laid out in a distinct yet seamless manner based on the tissue of origin of the intraocular tumours. Each chapter begins with an abstract which gives an overview of the whole chapter. All chapters are well augmented with clinical pictures.

The introductory chapter highlights the examination techniques of an intraocular tumour in a simplistic manner. The second chapter, ‘Uveal Melanocytic Tumors’, focuses on melanocytic choroidal tumours namely, choroidal nevus, optic disc melanocytoma and choroidal melanoma. It does not however, cover ciliary body melanoma or iris melanoma. The third chapter is on non-melanocytic uveal tumours. This chapter briefly describes osteoma, neurofibroma, schwannoma, leiomyoma and juvenile xanthogranuloma. The clinical profile of these tumours is highlighted well in a tabular form. Intraocular vascular tumours are described in the fourth chapter. This chapter covers choroidal as well as retinal vascular tumours in a lucid manner with a brief mention of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and Sturge-Weber syndrome. The fifth chapter is about intraocular metastasis. It mentions the various primary tumours causing intraocular metastasis, describes the clinical features and management in a lucid manner, with relevant references. The sixth chapter titled, ‘Intraocular Lymphoma’ briefly covers both vitreo-retinal and uveal lymphoma. The seventh chapter is on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tumours. This chapter is well detailed and covers most aspects of the RPE tumours. The eighth chapter describes astrocytic tumours. It also tabulates the differentiating features between retinoblastoma and astrocytic hamartoma (a pseudo-retinoblastoma).

The ninth chapter is on neuro-oculo-cutaneous syndromes. It describes neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis. Rest of the phakomatoses are briefly mentioned. The tenth chapter titled, ‘Retinoblastoma: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis’ tabulates the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma and then briefly describes the distinguishing features of the common differential diagnoses. The initial examination and evaluation under anaesthesia are well highlighted. The imaging modalities have not been properly described. The concluding chapter, ‘Retinoblastoma: Therapeutic Options’, describes the various treatment modalities in a simple manner.

Overall, this book tries to cover a wide array of topics but focuses on only “intraocular tumours”. Ocular surface neoplasia, eyelid carcinoma, lacrimal gland tumours, optic nerve tumours and orbital tumours have not been touched upon. And since the field of ocular oncology is rapidly growing, the book may need frequent revisions as well. But as mentioned in the preface, this “tumour book” is indeed easy to use. This book is primarily recommended for postgraduate students, fellows and practicing general ophthalmologists.