Eye tumors may occur on the outside of the eye or on structures within the eye itself. In certain cases, you can see a tumor on the iris, the colored part of the eye, but others may grow in the back section of the eye. Eye cancer can affect people of any age, including children. Retinoblastoma is an ocular tumor that occurs in young children. Doctors have various ways to treat these conditions, but calcium does not offer a known therapy.
Calcium
Children and adults alike require calcium for growth and a properly functioning body. However, in the case of ocular tumors, calcium does not offer any known treatment or method of prevention.
Research does indicate that tumors from retinoblastoma often calcify, meaning the tumors can collect calcium deposits and turn hard. This does not necessarily increase damage or ocular problems, but, in certain circumstances, tumor calcifications could make treatment or removal more difficult.
Calcium Glucarate
Calcium glucarate is a salt compound of glucaric acid, a component found in foods such as broccoli and potatoes. Doctors may recommend calcium glucarate supplements to treat certain forms of cancer, but the glucarate component, and not the calcium the component, is what may have some benefits for certain patients.
As of the publishing of this article, researchers have not connected calcium glucarate to the treatment or prevention of ocular tumors in particular. However, a 2003 study by researchers in India suggests that calcium glucarate may have some preventative benefits. The studies evaluated the effects on mice, but the findings could, ultimately, translate into methods of treatment.
Treatment
The treatment for an eye tumor will vary depending on location, type and the size of the tumor. In retinoblastoma, the tumor condition particular to children, doctors may initially use radiation or chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. In advanced cases, the doctor may need to surgically remove the tumor, or possibly the eye to prevent the cancer cells from spreading.
Considerations
You should not give your child high doses of calcium or any other supplement as a way to treat any health condition, including an ocular tumor, without first consulting your doctor. High doses of vitamins or minerals could interact with medications or have other side effects.
References
- American Cancer Society; Eye Cancer (Melanoma and Lymphoma); August 2010
- Genetics Home Reference; Retinoblastoma; April 2009
- "British Journal of Ophthalmology"; Calcification in Retinoblastoma: Histopathologic Findings and Statistical Analysis of 302 Cases; Jaime Levy, et al.; January 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health; Calcium; January 2011
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Calcium Glucarate; May 2011
- "Biomedical and Environmental Sciences"; Calcium Glucarate Prevents Tumor Formation in Mouse Skin; J. Singh and K.P. Gupta; March 2003
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