Malignant tumors of the orbit

Purpose:The purpose of the study is to determine the relative frequency and incidence of primary malignant tumors of the orbit occurring in Florida.

Methods:Cases of primary orbital malignancy were identified in the Florida Cancer Data System registry from 1981 through 1993. Analysis was restricted to persons who reside within the state.

Results:Three hundred fourteen primary orbital malignancies were reported; 55% of malignant orbital tumors were lymphoma. The average annual incidence for all malignancies was 2 cases per million. There was a steady increase in the annual incidence of orbital malignancy during the 13 years of the study. Lymphoma showed the greatest rise in annual incidence. The average annual incidence of lymphoma increased 166% the last 6 years of the study compared to the first 6 years.

Conclusions:A large increase in orbital lymphoma was documented in the Florida cancer registry from 1981 through 1993. The increase in incidence cannot be explained by improved compliance in reporting or by the small increase in incidence of systemic lymphoma during the survey period. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the observed increase in incidence in orbital lymphoma is genuine or spurious.