Epithelial Lacrimal Gland Tumours in Nigeria: Clinicopathological Features and Treatment

Epithelial lacrimal gland tumours are uncommon orbital tumours and are not widely reported among African populations.

This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological features, treatment, and outcomes of epithelial lacrimal gland tumours in Nigeria.

Retrospective case series.

Ocular Oncology Unit, Ophthalmology Department and Pathology Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

A review of the medical records of all patients with histopathological diagnoses of epithelial lacrimal gland tumours managed at a tertiary health facility, southwestern Nigeria over 11.5 years was carried out.

Eighteen patients with equal numbers of men and women, and mean age at presentation of 42.2 ± 15.7 years (median 42 years, range 17-70 years) were managed. All patients presented with orbital swelling and had nonaxial proptosis with palpable firm to hard mass in the superotemporal quadrant of the orbit. The mean duration of symptoms was 42.2 ± 38.6 months (median 24 months, range 3-120 months). Visual acuity was <3/60 at presentation in eight (44.4%) of the affected eyes. Thirteen (72.2%) patients underwent orbitotomy and tumour excision, while five (27.8%) patients had orbital exenteration, and two of whom (11.1%) had combined orbital exenteration and craniotomy. Histopathological examination of the specimens revealed pleomorphic adenoma in nine (50.0%) patients, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in three (16.7%) patients, high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in two (11.1%) patients, adenoid cystic carcinoma in three (16.7%) patients, and adenocarcinoma "not otherwise specified" in one (5.6%) patient. Mortality was reported in four (44.4%) of nine patients with malignant tumours, while no mortality was noted in the patients with benign pleomorphic adenoma. The mean follow-up period for the patients was 28.9 months (median, 4.5 months; range, 2-140 months).

The main presenting symptom of epithelial lacrimal gland tumours in our patients was an orbital mass and the most common clinical finding, in addition to the orbital mass, was nonaxial proptosis. The tumours were equally divided into benign and malignant lesions in our studied population. Pleomorphic adenoma was the only benign tumour while mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the commonest malignant lesion. Orbital exenteration was performed in a high proportion of our patients and high mortality was noted among patients with malignant tumours.