A tumor biopsy changes everything
If you have been diagnosed with uveal melanoma, understanding your risk of metastasis (cancer spreading to other parts of the body) is an essential step in your care. The most accurate way to get that information is with the DecisionDx-UM test, which requires a tumor biopsy.
~90% of specialists biopsy uveal melanoma
Tumor biopsies are routinelyperformed by nearly all uveal melanoma specialists in the U.S. If your healthcare provider doesn’t offer one,you have the right to ask about your options, or seek a second opinion from aspecialist who does.
DecisionDx-UM testing helps guide your care plan
Your tumor biopsy can be tested to predictthe likelihood of your uveal melanoma spreading using the DecisionDx-UM test. Thistest, together with supplemental tests for PRAME and DNA mutations, gives youand your care team the most accurate risk information available so you can planappropriate surveillance and consider future treatment options based on yourspecific tumor biology.
Timing is critical
Your tumor biopsy can be tested to predictthe likelihood of your uveal melanoma spreading using the DecisionDx-UM test. Thistest, together with supplemental tests for PRAME and DNA mutations, gives youand your care team the most accurate risk information available so you can planappropriate surveillance and consider future treatment options based on yourspecific tumor biology.
Timing is critical
Your tumor biopsy can be tested to predictthe likelihood of your uveal melanoma spreading using the DecisionDx-UM test. Thistest, together with supplemental tests for PRAME and DNA mutations, gives youand your care team the most accurate risk information available so you can planappropriate surveillance and consider future treatment options based on yourspecific tumor biology.
More biological insight, better informed decisions
Assesses
Tumor biology and traditional clinicopathologic staging factors with independently validated algorithms
Assesses
Tumor biology and traditional clinicopathologic staging factors with independently validated algorithms
Assesses
Tumor biology and traditional clinicopathologic staging factors with independently validated algorithms
Timing is important
Most newly diagnosed uveal melanoma patients choose to have a tumor biopsy taken for genomic testing. If you are considering having a tumor biopsy, it is important to discuss the option with your healthcare provider before your primary eye tumor is treated. Your healthcare provider will give you more information about the biopsy procedure and any associated risks. Scroll down to learn more about how genomic testing can accurately predict whether your uveal melanoma will spread.
Learn how genomic testing with DecisionDx-UM can accurately determine the risk of your cancer spreading to other parts of your body
Learn how DecisionDx-UM has made a significant impact on the lives of other uveal melanoma patients
More about uveal melanoma
Although it is rare, and its cause is not well understood, uveal melanoma is the most common form of eye cancer in adults in the US, with about 2,000 diagnoses each year. This form of eye cancer, also known as ocular melanoma, may occur in any of the three parts of the uvea. For this reason, it may also be referred to as choroidal, ciliary body, or iris melanoma based upon its exact location. The choroid is the most common place for a tumor to develop.
While uveal melanoma is a potentially fatal form of cancer, many patients go on to live long and healthy lives. Available treatments such as eye-sparing radiation or eye removal almost always control the original eye tumor. However, in up to half of patients, the cancer has already spread, or metastasized, prior to diagnosis, an event doctors call micro metastasis. The cancer can eventually move to another part of the body, usually the liver, where it is much more difficult to treat.
However, there is hopeful and growing evidence that early detection and targeted treatment may be able to achieve better outcomes.