Space-occupying lesions of the lacrimal gland at one tertiary eye center in China: a retrospective clinical study of 95 patients

Aim: To investigate the treatment status and prognosis of space-occupying lacrimal gland lesions at one tertiary eye center in China.

Methods: A retrospective clinical study was performed on 95 patients with space-occupying lesions of the lacrimal gland surgically treated at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from 2003 to 2007. The reviewed clinical data included age, gender, side of the lesion, duration of signs and symptoms, histopathological diagnosis, treatment modality, recurrence (local, regional, and distant metastasis) and survival.

Results: Of the 95 cases (99 eyes), pleomorphic adenomas were the most common lesions (43 cases), followed by lymphoid disorders (14), inflammatory pseudotumors (11), carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenomas (11), and adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC, 6). There were 8 patients with relapsed pleomorphic adenomas. Five of these 8 cases had malignant pathological changes. All patients with ACC had metastasis and three of them died during their follow-up.

Conclusion: Our study indicated that the most common lacrimal gland lesions were pleomorphic adenomas. Multiple recurrence and surgical procedures may increase the risk of tumor progression. ACC had a high incidence of tumor metastasis and a poor prognosis.