None — BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is the most deadly orbital tumor. The cancer arises from the cells within the lacrimal gland, which is a structure that produces tears. Orbital adenoid cystic carcinoma usually occurs in patients between 20 and 50 years old. When an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland grows, it typically pushes the eye down, towards the nose and forward. It can cause bulging of the eye. Adenoid cystic carcinoma also invades local nerves, causing pain. Pain and bulging are the most common symptoms. (SOURCE: www.eyecancer.com)
DIAGNOSIS: Doctors must perform a complete eye exam with a clinical history and ophthalmic exam to diagnose adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Other tests such as CAT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds are also helpful in determining the diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. (SOURCE: www.eyecancer.com)
TREATMENT: If possible, an adenoid cystic carcinoma should be completely removed. This surgery is often called a lateral orbitotomy. However, total removal is often impossible because of the tumor's size, shape and presence of invasion. (SOURCE: www.eyecancer.com)
A NEW OPTION: David Tse, M.D., from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is using a new treatment called intra-arterial cytoreductive chemotherapy. A catheter is inserted into a large artery in the groin and is advanced toward the artery in the eye socket that feeds the tumor. Infusion of chemotherapy through the artery allows the doctor to deliver a very high dose of chemo that cannot be given through the vein. As the chemotherapy goes through the tumor, the drug is absorbed by the cancer cells, and the drug dosage becomes much less after perfusing through the tumor mass. This delivery system causes the tumor to shrink. Once the tumor shrinks, surgery becomes more effective in removing all cancer cells within the socket. The 10-year survival rate for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is 20 percent. The new treatment protocol developed at the University of Miami improves survival to more than 80 percent. (SOURCE: Dr. David Tse, University of Miami)
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