Lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To expose a clinical case. Lacrimal gland adenocarcinomas are tumors with epithelial origin end aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Perineural invasion lead to diffuse infiltration of the orbit worsening the patient prognosis and used produce pain as main symptom. Methods: Clinical case Results: A patient of 75 years was referred by an orbital inflammation resistant to three months of systemic steroids treatment. The orbital CT demonstrate a mass in the lagrimal gland with signs of periglandular bone infiltration. A lateral orbitotomy show a mass of 15 x 12 mm, classified as adenocarcinoma of lagrimal gland with affected surgical borders in the pathologic study. Complementary external radiotherapy was done. In three months the patient developed palpebral edema and pain at the orbital region. The new CT demonstrated local recurrency and the systemic extension study was negative. However seven months later the patient died due to lung metastasis. Conclusions: Lacrimal gland adenocarcinomas are tumors with aggressive clinical behaviour. When they develop perineural invasion, local control of the disease is difficult. In spite of the surgery and the complementary radiotherapy these tumors have a great tendency to local recurrency and systemic extension.