1 Hospitals For Orbital Tumors In Georgia

Orbital Tumors (click for worldwide facilities list): The orbit is the cone-shaped bony socket that contains the eyeball; the orbital contents include the extraocular muscles that move the eye, the optic nerve, the nerves and blood vessels supplying these structures and the fat in-between. Tumors that develop in any of the tissues that surround the eyeball are referred to as orbital tumors

Any of the orbital structures may give rise to a tumor. Tumors originating from the surrounding paranasal sinuses, the brain and the nasal cavity may grow through the bone and invade the orbital confines. A wide variety of tumors may grow in the orbit. Tumors found in this region include optic nerve gliomas, orbital meningiomas, dermoids, hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, neurofibromas, sarcomas and metastatic lesions.

Orbital tumors may affect both adults and children. Fortunately, in both age groups most orbital tumors are benign. The most common benign orbital tumors in children are dermoids and vascular lesions such as capillary hemangiomas, lymphangiomas and cavernous hemangiomas. In adults, the most common benign tumors are also blood vessel tumors such as hemangiomas, lymphangiomas and arteriovenous malformations.

If the tumor is small and not symptomatic, it may be followed safely with serial MRI scans. When ocular symptoms such as visual loss or disfiguring proptosis are associated with mass effect from the orbital tumor, surgical removal is usually the best option. In general, when orbital tumors are situated lateral to the optic nerve, a lateral orbitotomy is performed. Tumors superior to the optic nerve or those with intracranial extension are usually approached via an orbitofrontal craniotomy. Tumors below the optic nerve can be approached via a medial orbitotomy, a transethmoid or a transmaxillary approach.

When an orbital meningioma or fibrous dysplasia is accompanied by hyperostosis of the optic canal, craniotomy is usually accompanied by bony decompression using a high-speed diamond drill. When the tumor is not completely removed surgically, this subtotal resection may be followed by some form of orbital irradiation.

Surgical removal is curative for many orbital tumors and the cosmetic results can be excellent. The outcome and prognosis ultimately depends on the pathological diagnosis. Some orbital tumors may require additional therapy rather than biopsy or removal this may include conventional external beam or Gamma Knife Radiotherapy. Occasionally adjuvant chemotherapy may also be necessary.

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