Orbit and Eyelids tumors

What you need to know about Orbit and Eyelids tumors

Anatomy

Anatomy

The orbit is the facial cavity that houses the eye. It is bounded by several bones (the lacrimal, ethmoid, sphenoid, frontal, zygomatic, and maxillary bones) and contains the extraocular muscles that control eye movement, as well as fat, nerves, and blood vessels. It also includes the lacrimal gland, which is the main source of tear production. The brain is located just above and behind the orbit. While the eye sits within the orbit, it is not technically part of it.

The eyelids are made up of skin and protective tissues that cover the surface of the eye. They are generally divided into two parts: the anterior lamella and the posterior lamella. These two sections are separated by the gray line, a surgical landmark corresponding to the orbicularis muscle seen through the thin skin of the eyelid margin. The eyelids serve to protect the eye.

Main eyelids and orbit tumors

The main cancers of the eyelids are cutaneous cancers (cancers of the skin), which share the same characteristics.

Orbital tumors can be benign or malignant and may affect any of the structures within the eye socket: nerves, muscles, blood vessels, the lacrimal gland, or fat tissue. They are grouped into three main categories based on origin:

  • Primary tumors, which develop directly in the orbit (such as lymphomas, meningiomas, or hemangiomas)
  • Secondary tumors, which spread from nearby areas
  • Metastases

Symptoms

The symptoms of ocular surface cancers are non-specific, meaning they can be found in other non-cancerous eye diseases. In most cases, these symptoms do not appear until the disease is in its late stages, and they are not always reason enough to seek medical advice.

Nodule

Depending on the aggressiveness of the tumor, this nodule will grow more or less rapidly until it becomes a mass.

Madarosis

Madarosis refers to the partial or complete loss of eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

Ulceration

An eyelid ulceration is an open sore, often non-painful in these cases, affecting the skin of the eyelid.

Bleeding

An eyelid lesion may bleed easily if rubbed or scratched.

Exophthalmos

Abnormal protrusion of the eye from the orbit.

Management of eyelids and orbit tumors

Treatment for eyelid and orbital tumors is most often surgical. In some cases, it may be complemented by radiation therapy.

Surgery

The first stage of treatment involves surgical excision in an operating room, typically under local anesthesia (for eyelid tumors) or general anesthesia (orbit tumors).

Radiotherapy

For confirmed cancers with a high risk of local or locoregional recurrence, radiotherapy is often recommended.