Purpose: Tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare and have traditionally been treated surgically. We investigated the use of irradiation for treatment.
Methods and materials: Three consecutive patients with primary epithelial cancer of the nasolacrimal apparatus were treated with irradiation. A tumor dose of 52-66 Gy was delivered with conventional fractionation to fields limited to the primary site and immediately surrounding tissues.
Results: Local tumor control was achieved in all three patients. Two patients subsequently developed metastatic cervical adenopathy; both were controlled with irradiation to the neck. One of these two died of distant metastases. Two patients are alive and well at 13 years and at 26 months.
Conclusion: We conclude that epithelial lacrimal sac tumors are controllable by radiation therapy and with a good cosmetic result. Poorly differentiated lesions require elective cervical nodal irradiation.