Lymphoma of Ocular and Periocular Tissues - Clinicopathological Correlations

Abstract

Lymphomas of the ocular adnexa and intraocular tissue include a wide range of lymphoproliferative neoplastic disorders. They are predominantly extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid neoplasm and individual morphological, immunophenotypical, and molecular genetic features, indicate that they may be divided into B-cell (approximately 80 % of all NHL) and T-cell lymphomas (approximately 10-20 % of all NHL). The most common forms of ocular NHL are extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-type), follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and mantel cell lymphoma. The clinical signs and symptoms are usually very unspecific and depend on the location, size, and extent of the underlying lymphoma subtype. Typical low grade lymphomas have an indolent clinical course and often remain unrecognized for many years. On the other hand, high grade NHLs, such as DLBCL or MCL, are frequently aggressive, with rapid tumour growth and poor prognosis, despite early detection. Histopathology is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of ocular lymphomas. Basic understanding of the principal pathophysiological and clinical aspects of the development and progression of orbital and ocular lymphomas seems to be mandatory for optimal diagnosis and treatment and for improving survival and prognosis. Both residents in training and board certified ophthalmologists should be aware of these problems.