Histomorphological study of malignant tumors of eye & ocular adnexa

Background: Vision is one of the main special senses of human being. In the visual system eye and its adnexal tissue are affected by variety of lesions. Orbito-ocular malignancies may contribute to visual disturbances, rarely visual loss may take place. The spectrum of malignant tumors of eye and ocular adnexa that can originate, grow, invade and lodge in the relatively small orbital cavity is amazing. Malignant tumors of eyelid, conjunctiva, retina and orbit in both adults and children have been reported. There exists differences in their pattern and frequency on the basis of geographical locations. Aim: To study the frequency and histopathology of various malignant tumors of eye and ocular adnexa and to correlate pathological findings with clinical data, age and sex distribution in various malignant tumors. Results: Orbito-ocular malignancies accounted for 1% of malignancies of all organs. Out of 90 tumors of the eye and ocular adnexa 41% were malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are common in males and show bimodal distribution with a peak in first decade and then a plateau in 4th,5th and 6th decade. The most commonly affected age group was 31-40years. Eyelid was commonly involved site (45.94%). The most frequently occurring malignant neoplasm was basal cell carcinoma (21.62%). Most of the patients (87.78%) presented with mass in ocular region followed by symptoms like discharge, ulcer, pain, foreign body sensation, loss of eyelashes. Conclusion: Most of the tumors presented as a mass from eyelid or ocular globe, histopathologically showed malignant ocular or adnexal tumor. Histopathologically negative surgical margins ensure complete removal of the tumor. Tumors of peri-ocular or ocular region, small or large in size should be thoroughly examined by ophthalmologist and pathologist to protect and preserve vision.