Orbital Tumors

In children, orbital tumors tend to be benign (non-cancerous) although one form of rare orbital tumor rhabdomyosarcoma, is a malignant and more serious form of this type of tumor.

In adults, orbital tumors may affect the lacrimal system, or may be associated with entangled blood vessels (cavernous hemangiomas) or nerve fibers (neurilemoma). It could also be a manifestation of lymphoma or metastatic tumor.

Many treatment methods are available for orbital tumors, including removal of the entire tumor either through the eyelid or conjunctiva, incisional biopsy (removal of a portion of the tumor and adjacent tissue), chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy (a type of vaccine to promote an immune response against the tumor). If the tumor is advanced, orbital exenteration (removal of the eye and contents of the orbit) may be necessary.