Intraorbital lymphomas: neurosurgical experiences and management strategies

Intraorbital lymphoma is a rare event. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, management, and outcome of patients with intraorbital lymphoma. The data of twenty-one individuals (12 women, nine men, aged 33 years to 84 years, mean age 62 years) with intraorbital lymphoma diagnosed between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. Fifteen patients had no signs of systemic lymphoma disease. After the diagnosis of lymphoma had been surgically confirmed, chemotherapy alone was administered to seven patients, only radiotherapy was employed in nine, and both therapies were administered to five patients. With this treatment it was possible to obtain relief of orbital symptoms in 14 patients (67%) for at least 1 year. Three patients remain unchanged in their decreased visual capabilities. Local recurrence was observed in four cases and was treated with chemotherapy. Individualized microsurgical approaches to the orbit and adequate adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy, steroids, and chemotherapy, separate or in combination) are necessary to achieve satisfactory remission of orbital lymphomas.