Orbital Tumors

What is an orbital tumor

• is any tumor that occurs within {the} orbit of {the} eye. The orbit is a bony housing in {the} skull about 2 inches deep that provides protection to {the} entire eyeball except {the} front surface. It is lined by {the} orbital bones and contains {the} eyeball, its muscles, blood supply, nerve supply, and fat.
• Tumors might possibly develop in any of {the} tissues surrounding {the} eyeball and might possibly also invade {the} orbit from {the} sinuses, brain, or nasal cavity, or it might possibly metastasize (spread) from other areas of {the} body. Orbital tumors can affect adults and children. Fortunately, most are benign.

What causes orbital tumors?

• Children
  • Most childhood orbital tumors are benign and are {the} result of developmental abnormalities.
  • Common orbital tumors in children are dermoids (cysts of {the} lining of {the} bone) and hemangiomas (blood vessel tumors).
  • Malignant tumors are unusual in children, but any rapidly growing mass should be cause for concern.
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma is {the} most common malignant tumor affecting children, and it usually occurs between {the} ages of 7 and 8.
• Adults
  • The most common orbital tumors in adults are also blood vessel tumors, including hemangioma, lumphangioma, and arteriovenous malformation.
  • Tumors of {the} nerves, fat, and surrounding sinuses occur less often.
  • Lymphomas are {the} most often occurring malignant orbital tumors in adults.
  • Metastic tumors most often arise from {the} breast and prostate, while squamous and basal cell cancer can invade {the} orbit from surrounding skin and sinus cavities.

What are {the} symptoms of an orbital tumor?

• Symptoms of an orbital tumor might possibly include
  
  • protrusion of {the} eyeball (proptosis)
  • pain
  • loss of vision
  • double vision
  • redness
  • swelling of {the} eyelids
  • obvious mass.
• Prominence of {the} eyes is not necessarily {the} result of a tumor, but might possibly result from inflammation such as that caused by Graves' thyroid disease.
• In children, parents might possibly initially notice a droopy eyelid or slight protrusion of {the} eye.

How are tumors diagnosed

• How are orbital tumors treatedOrbital tumors are most often diagnosed with either a CAT scan or MRI. If either of those tests look suspicious, a biopsy might possibly be performed.?

How are orbital tumors Treated

• Treatment of orbital tumors varies depending on {the} size, location, and type.
• Some orbital tumors require no treatment, while others are best treated medically or with {the} use of radiation therapy.
• Som might possibly need to be totally removed by either an orbital surgeon or a neurosurgeon, depending on {the} particular case.
• After removal, additional radiation or chemotherapy might possibly be required. Surgery has become much safer because CT scans and MRI testing can help pinpoint {the} location and size of {the} tumor.