Ophthalmology as a specialty at comprehensive cancer centers in the United States

The major focus of the comprehensive cancer centers in the United States has traditionally been on the "big six" cancers-breast, genitourinary, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, head and neck/thoracic, and hematologic malignancies. Ophthalmic cancers (ocular, orbital, and ocular adnexal cancers), in contrast, have received less attention. Comprehensive cancer centers have predominantly relied on part-time ophthalmic consultants or contractual agreements with traditional academic ophthalmology departments to provide part-time services for cancer patients with ocular problems; comprehensive cancer centers have historically shied away from establishing dedicated comprehensive oncologic ophthalmology departments.