Clinical Characteristics of Lacrimal Sac Tumors: Report of Ten Cases

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with lacrimal sac tumors in an effort to identify features, to evaluate the results of various methods of management, and to compare our data with previous studies. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients with lacrimal sac tumors who were managed in our institution between January 1990 and December 2015. The pre-operative clinical data, imaging, operation notes, and follow-up records were reviewed for each patient. RESULTS: The study group consisted of four men and six women with a mean age of 47.6 years. Most patients experienced long-standing epiphora, for a mean period of 20 months. Two of the tumors were benign, and eight of them were malignant. The benign tumors were treated with dacryocystectomy. All but one malignant tumor were treated with medial or total maxillectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to four patients with malignant tumors. In the eight patients with malignant tumors, the mean follow-up period was 65 months. CONCLUSIONS: Important characteristics of lacrimal sac tumors include dacryocystitis, epiphora, and in some cases, a palpable medial canthal area mass. Wide en bloc resection via medial or total maxillectomy and/or postoperative radiotherapy are proper treatments for malignant lesions of the lacrimal sac.