A Clinical Study on Orbital Tumours in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

Abstract

Introduction: Space-occupying lesions of the orbit, both benign and malignant, cause significant functional and anatomical problems. A systematic and comprehensive approach is needed for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of orbital space-occupying lesions. Methods: A total of 50 patients with orbital tumours were enrolled in the study. And it is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology in Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tamilnadu, India, for a time frame of 36 months from January 2018 to January 2021 and a follow up period of 12 months. Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the study. The most common age group involved was 40-60 years, and the mean age was 38 ± 5 years. Females were 40% and males were 60%. In 96% there was unilateral involvement and 4% had bilateral involvement. In the age group under 60 years, 23 eyes had a benign tumour and 11 eyes had a malignant tumour. In the age group of more than 60 years, 14 eyes had a malignant tumour and 2 had a benign tumour. Eccentric proptosis was reported in 85%, and axial proptosis was reported in 15%. In the total study population, 51% of the patients had benign lesions and 49% had malignant lesions. The majority of the cases are treated by chemotherapy alone (39%). The average survival rate is 81% in one year. Discussion: A multimodal systematic approach aids proper diagnosis and also prevents the quandary before commencing treatment. The tumour board discussion in treating every case of a space-occupying lesion plays a vital role in channelizing the case approach. The percentage of malignant tumours increased with age, due to the higher incidence of metastasis in the elderly. Old age tumours should be more suspected of malignancy which can be lifesaving.