Orbital solitary fibrous tumor: a case series with review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical features, patient demographics, management, and outcomes of a series of patients with orbital solitary fibrous tumors (OSFTs) and provide a review of the English literature describing this rare entity.

Design: A review of patient demographics, clinical presentations, imaging, histopathology, surgical management, and outcomes were analyzed.

Methods: A non-comparative retrospective chart review of the demographics, clinical presentations, imaging, histopathological features, management, and disease outcomes of patients presenting to a tertiary orbital center with a tissue diagnosis of OSFT between 2007-2012 was performed along with a review of the English-language literature.

Results: Our study included four male patients, with a mean age of 48 years at referral. The most common presentations included a slowly growing mass, globe displacement, diplopia on extreme gazes, and/or facial disfiguration. All tumors were analyzed with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Treatment involved the complete surgical excision of the lesion, obtaining clear margins. All patients remain alive and well with no evidence of recurrence after a minimum follow-up of 15 months (range 15 months-5 years).

Conclusion: SFTs should be considered when confronting a painless slowly growing orbital mass that induces globe displacement and/or facial deformity. Imaging will show a well-defined lesion that enhances with contrast. A careful initial surgical excision with clear margins is required for adequate local control of the tumor, avoiding recurrence and potential malignant transformation.