Ocular and Orbital Oncology
Part of Byers Eye Institute
Leaders in Ocular and Orbital Oncology
We are one of a few dedicated ocular and orbital oncology centers in the country. Our doctors specialize in intraocular, orbital, and periocular tumors for adults and children.
2452 Watson Court
Palo Alto,
CA
94303
Phone: 650-498-6000
What We Offer You for Ocular and Orbital Oncology
- Specialized expertise in treating intraocular, orbital, and periocular cancers for adults and children. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options, including delivering radiation therapy to the eye with minimal side effects. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials to provide early access to promising therapies available only at Stanford or select medical centers. Go to Clinical Trials
- Team-based approach to treatment for seamless, coordinated care that is tailored to your needs. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services to help you and your family focus on health and healing. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access to care with a single location for all services. Go to Accessing Care
We use the most innovative approaches to manage tumors of the eye, conjunctiva, iris, retina, choroid, eyelid, tear duct, and eye structures. Also, we provide care to those with cancer treatment-related vision side effects.
We partner with Stanford Children’s Health to treat children with retinoblastoma and other pediatric eye cancers.
Our fellowship-trained subspecialists deliver a full range of innovative approaches to treat all forms of ocular and orbital cancers including:
Specialized ocular and orbital cancer care for adults and children.
Front of Eye (Anterior) Segment Tumors
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Conjunctival melanoma
- Iris tumors
Eyelid Cancer
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Sebaceous carcinoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
Back of Eye (Posterior) Segment Tumors
- Uveal melanoma
- Retinoblastoma
Complications Caused by Cancer & Cancer Treatment
- Metastatic tumors to the eye and orbit
- Ocular toxicity of systemic chemotherapy
- Radiation retinopathy
Eye Socket & Tear Duct (Orbital & Lacrimal) Tumors
- Orbital lymphoma
- Orbital sarcoma and neuroblastoma
- Optic nerve tumors
- Lacrimal gland and tear duct tumors
- Metastatic orbital tumors
Our eye cancer team goes beyond the standard of care. We fully investigate the cause of your eye condition, and whether it may be cancer, pre-cancerous, or benign.
Additionally, we coordinate with a variety of specialists at weekly Tumor Board meetings to develop coordinated, individualized treatment plans.
All Treatments
Ocular and orbital tumor treatments are performed by a multidisciplinary team that includes ophthalmologic oncologists, ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons, radiation oncologists, and various clinicians at Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health.
Diagnostic services encompass high-resolution ultrasound, including ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), MRI, the latest imaging studies and other analyses. Treatments at the Ocular and Orbital Oncology Service include:
Tumor Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples are removed from the body by a needle or during surgery. The samples are then examined under a microscope to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze away cancer cells and tumors. It is a targeted, localized treatment and only affects the areas of the body that have been frozen.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy uses powerful, focused light to cut off tumors of the eye and eye socket. The high-level of precision that lasers provide allow surgeons to focus on a small area.
Surgery is used to treat a variety of tumors in the eye and eye socket. In some cases, these tumors can be biopsied or removed entirely with outpatient surgery. More aggressive tumors, however, may require coordination with other surgical specialists.
Radiation therapy (also called radiation oncology), uses special kinds of energy waves or particles to fight cancer. Radiation targets the cancer cells, destroying them and preventing growth.
Targeted Chemotherapy uses medications to block the growth and spread of cancer in the body. These medications interact deliberately with targeted cancer cells and are less likely to affect the normal cells of the body.
Clinical Trials
As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Phuong Pham at 650-725-9810.
Your Care Team
Our patient-centered approach focuses on providing highly effective treatments which emphasize vision and promote overall health. We deliver a full range of innovative approaches to manage tumors of the eye and surrounding structures. We also provide care for cancer treatment-related vision side effects.
Your Doctors
Ophthalmologist Oncologist
Our ophthalmologist oncologist offers a broad range of expertise in all conditions of the eye, including ocular and orbital oncology, ophthalmologic surgery, and vitreoretinal surgery.
View All {0} OphthalmologistsOphthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Ocular and orbital plastic surgeons specialize in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the periocular area, including surgical biopsy and treatment of cancers in the eye and surrounding areas.
View All {0} Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive SurgeonsMedical, Surgical, and Radiation Oncologists
As part of the renowned Stanford Cancer Center, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists have extensive expertise in the latest treatments for ocular and orbital cancers.
View All {0} Oncology DoctorsStanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Extended Care Team
Our Nurse Practitioners have advanced education and clinical training in their medical specialty and work under the supervision of a doctor. They diagnose, treat, prescribe, and perform surgical procedures, giving personalized treatment to you and your family.
Your care coordinator is your dedicated clinic contact. In each visit, you will meet with both your doctor and care coordinator. This allows your provider to focus on you while your care coordinator takes notes. Your dedicated coordinator will help track all logistical issues related to your care by taking notes, managing referrals, and providing follow-up education.
Support Services
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health and wellness. Our ophthalmologic oncologist, medical and radiation oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeons, and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons work as a team with nurses and imaging technologists to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life.
Accessing Care
Our ocular and orbital oncology teams provide services at Byers Eye Institute in Palo Alto.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services
You will need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
For assistance getting to your appointment, the staff at Ocular and Orbital Oncology are here to help. Please call 650-723-6995.
Please see Directions and Parking information for:
You can call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment with a Stanford ophthalmologic oncology specialist. To make an appointment, call 650-498-6000.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in to MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can also pay as a guest to pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
We offer a number of support services, including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Health Care Professionals
We welcome referrals from other clinics and health care providers and want to assure you that we'll provide your patient with the same level of personal care you give them.
HOW TO REFER
Fax or email a referral form with supporting documentation to 650-320-9443 or ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology and lab orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records
