Solitary fibrous tumor of the orbit: a poorly-recognized orbital lesion

Abstract

Purpose: The authors report three cases with solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the orbit with variable clinical presentation.

Methods: The authors identified three patients with a diagnosis of SFT, and clinical histories, radiographs and pathologic specimens were reviewed.

Results: Two SFTs are reported arising in the lacrimal gland fossa of a 24-year-old male and a 26-year-old female and a retrobulbar SFT is reported occurring in a 40-year-old female. While two patients had slow growth histories, one patient had a history of rapid progression. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for CD34 in all three cases.

Conclusion: The clinical presentation of the orbital SFT may be varied. Immunohistochemical analysis may help in the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor and the treatment is en bloc excision. A careful follow-up is necessary because it may recur years after excision of the primary tumor.