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Radiotherapy for nasolacrimal tract epithelial cancer
R H Sagerman1, A K Fariss, C T Chung
1Department of Radiology, SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
Purpose:
Tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare and have traditionally been treated surgically. We investigated the use of irradiation for treatment.
Methods And Materials:
Three consecutive patients with primary epithelial cancer of the nasolacrimal apparatus were treated with irradiation. A tumor dose of 52-66 Gy was delivered with conventional fractionation to fields limited to the primary site and immediately surrounding tissues.
Results:
Local tumor control was achieved in all three patients. Two patients subsequently developed metastatic cervical adenopathy; both were controlled with irradiation to the neck. One of these two died of distant metastases. Two patients are alive and well at 13 years and at 26 months.
Conclusion:
We conclude that epithelial lacrimal sac tumors are controllable by radiation therapy and with a good cosmetic result. Poorly differentiated lesions require elective cervical nodal irradiation.