A Case of Lacrimal Gland Ductal Carcinoma With Regional Lymph Node Metastasis

Ductal carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is a very rare and aggressive neoplasm, with clinical and histopathologic similarities to salivary ductal carcinoma. Of the 25 previously reported cases, 2 patients had metastases to local lymph nodes confirmed on pathologic examination. The authors now report the clinical presentation, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features, and the treatment of a third patient with lacrimal gland ductal carcinoma with spread to local lymph nodes. In contrast to ductal carcinoma, lymph node involvement has not been reported in the largest series of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a much more common lacrimal gland malignancy. This case highlights the need for possible lymph node surveillance in patients with lacrimal gland ductal carcinoma.