Orbital And Adnexal Eye Cancers

Tumors are abnormal growths that occur when cells start to expand beyond control. They can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (harmless). Eye cancer refers to any cancer that originates in the eye. One of the most common types of eye cancer is melanoma. But there are other kinds of cancer too that affect different cells in the eye.

Orbital and adnexal tumors grow from tissue, such as from muscle, skin, or nerve around the eyeball. The orbit – commonly known as the eye socket – consists of the tissues adjacent the eyeball. The adnexal structures of the eye include the tear glands and eyelids.

Khan Eyelid and Facial Aesthetics, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Tanya Khan, provides safe and proven eye care procedures to patients in Plano, Dallas, Texas, and surrounding locations.

Symptoms of Orbital and Adnexal Tumors

• Bulging eyeball
• Bleeding from the nose, mainly on only one side
• Double vision or change in vision 
• Loss or change of ability to smell
• Eyelid appears to be closed 
• Lump on the eyelid or the size of the eye increases over time
• Total or partial total loss of vision
• Eye redness 
• Flashes or shadows of light in the vision
• Pressure, sinus pain, and infections

Types of Orbital Tumors 

Orbital tumors usually push the eye forward, resulting in the bulging of the eye (proptosis). Some of the common reasons are inflammatory pseudotumor and thyroid eye disease; both are benign. Other benign orbital tumors include inflammatory pseudotumor, cavernous hemangioma lymphangioma, Schwannoma, mucocele, arterio-venous malformations, and lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma. 

One of the most widespread orbital malignancies is lymphoma. In children, generally orbital tumors such as capillary hemangioma, lymphangioma, dermoid cyst, and optic nerve glioma are benign. Common orbital malignancies in children comprise metastatic neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Types of adnexal tumors

One of the most common types of eyelid cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Other eyelid cancers include melanoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor that is considered to be an aggressive form of cancer of the lacrimal gland.

Diagnostic Tests

Imaging – The ophthalmologist may ask you to undergo a computerized tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help in the diagnosis of your tumor.

Biopsy – The most appropriate way for your doctor to diagnose your orbital or adnexal tumor accurately is to surgically get a small sample (biopsy) of tissue from the affected area, and then send it to the laboratory for analysis.

Eye Cancer Treatments

Surgery – When necessary, your ophthalmologist will possibly advise you to undergo a surgical removal of the tumor.

Radiation therapy – In case the tumor cannot be taken out surgically, the patient may require to go through external beam radiation therapy to first shrink the size of the tumor and then destroy it.

Intra-Arterial Cytoreductive Chemotherapy (IACC) – In this treatment, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the thigh and threaded up to the lacrimal gland area. A concentrated dose of chemotherapy is then delivered through the catheter directly to the tumor. This treatment has greatly improved the long-term survival in patients diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, an aggressive form of cancer of the lacrimal gland.

A Collaborative Approach from a Multidisciplinary Team  

The treatment of adnexal tumors and orbital usually requires coordination and management with other medical disciplines, such as otolaryngology, dermatology, medical oncology, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology.

Oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Tanya Khan receives patients from Plano, Dallas, Texas, and nearby areas for advanced eye care treatments. 

Contact Khan Eyelid and Facial Aesthetics and Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Tanya Khan Today to Schedule an Appointment

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Taking patients from in and around Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Garland, Mesquite, Carrollton, Irving, Frisco, Texas and more.