[Tumors and tumor-like lesions of the orbit]

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the most common and clinically relevant tumors of the orbit and their treatment. The most common orbital tumors in childhood are cystic tumors, such as dermoid and epidermoid cysts. Capillary hemangiomas are the most common primary benign tumors of the orbit and appear mostly in the first year of life. In contrast teratomas are rare and histologically mostly benign. Neural tumors are, for example, gliomas of the optic nerve and in 25-50% of cases are associated with neurofibromatosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rapidly growing malignant orbital tumor whereby the stage and localization are the most important prognostic factors for survival chance in children. Leukemia can be associated with a chloroma especially in the first decade of life. Lymphoproliferative diseases, vascular and cystic tumors in particular are known as tumors of adulthood. In addition to fibroosseous and mesenchymal tumors, neural forms, such as schwannomas are also important. Secondary tumors of the orbit are often manifested in the nose and paranasal sinuses.