The bulk of orbit (eye socket) is about 30 cm3. Therefore, the tumors in this area whether it is benign or malignant, pressures the structures in the orbit in a short time when it is grown and causes various issues. There can be lots of different kind of tumors that originate from the different structures in this area. Tumors can also spread to orbit from places like brain and sinuses which are near it. Orbital tumors are mostly benign, but they usually need surgical intervention because of the closeness between the eye sockets.
Do I have a tumor on my eye?
– A singular eye growing towards the front (bulging eye)
– Eye’s limitation of movement
– Increase of volume on the eyelid
– Decrease of sight
– Pain are some of its symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
Firstly, an examination called full ophthalmologic exam must be done. With the exam, your doctor can make some predictions but some other tests also should be done. Eye ultrasound, tomography and MR are some of these tests. While it is possible to detect some tumors with these, some of them may not be able to detected. In that case, a biopsy should be done which means sending a sample tissue to pathology. With biopsy, sometimes entire tumor is removed (excisional biopsy) and in the same session both the diagnose and the removal of the tumor is done. Sometimes if the tumor is spread and excisional biopsy is not possible incisional biopsy is done and a sample tissue is sent to pathology. After the pathologic diagnose, a treatment plan is mapped out..
Treatment
Because eye socket is an enclosed space, the tumors in this area can spread to inner orbital structures and pressure them, whether or not the tumor is benign or malignant, which can cause issues. That is why surgery is usually needed. Still, some benign tumors tend to grow very slowly. This kind of tumors can be monitored if they don’t harm the orbital structures. Tumors other than this kind, however, need treatment. Benign tumors can usually be removed with surgery and with one session you can go back to health. However, with malignant tumors you may not be this lucky and it might take more than one surgery for you to get your health back. In that case, treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy might be needed in addition to surgery.