Tumours of the eye

Orbital tumours can occur in the bones of the eye socket, the eye ball, eye muscles, optic nerve and fat filling the spaces in between. Tumours from the surrounding sinuses, brain and nasal cavity may also invade the orbit. Orbital tumours affect people of all ages, and are usually benign.

How are orbital tumours diagnosed?

Bulging or prominence of one or both eyes should arouse suspicion of an orbital tumour. Other possible symptoms are pain, loss of vision, double vision, redness, and a noticable swelling or mass. In addition to conducting a thorough examination, the treating ophthalmologist will organise a CT or MRI scan to assist in the definition of the condition.

Are there any other causes of a bulging eye?

Painful, prominent eyes are not always caused by tumours. A full examination will reveal whether the problem is due to other conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland, orbital cellulitis (which occurs when a severe sinus infection spreads to the orbit) or a non-infectious inflammatory process.

Tumours in Children Tumours in children are usually the result of developmental abnormalities. The most common types of benign tumours in children are:

• Dermoids: cysts in the lining of the bone
• Haemangiomas: tumours of the blood vessels

Malignant tumours are unusual in children but any rapidly growing mass is a cause for concern.

Tumours in adults

Benign tumours in adults are:

• Haemangioma: blood vessel tumour
• Lymphangioma: lymphatic vessel tumour
• Arteriovenous malformation: a tangled mass of arteries and veins
• Schwannoma: nerve cell tumour
• Lipoma: fatty tumour
• Mucocele: tumour in the sinuses

Of these tumours, the most common are the blood vessel tumours.

The most common malignant orbital tumours in adults are lymphomas (lymph gland cancers). These are often confined to the orbit and do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancers from other organs, such as the breast and prostate gland, can also spread to the orbit. Other malignancies arising from the tissues surrounding the orbit are less common.

Treatment of orbital tumours

Surgery, radiotherapy or other treatment may be undertaken, depending on the type of tumour.