Background: The orbit is home to many tumors, but the lacrimal gland which anatomically is a part of the orbit is a rare site for both primary and secondary tumors. Incidence of lacrimal gland tumors is only 1 in 1 million people per year.¹ The tumors affecting the lacrimal gland can be broadly classified into epithelial, mesenchymal, lymphoid and metastatic.

Objectives

• To assess the histomorphological features of various lacrimal gland neoplasms.
• To classify them into benign and malignant neoplasms.
• To describe the age and sex distribution of various lacrimal gland neoplasms.
• To find out the frequency of various lacrimal gland neoplasms in our study population and compare it with the previous studies.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 37 lacrimal gland tumors were studied over a period of 10 years from January 2010 to October 2019. Tissues were fixed in formalin, routinely processed, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and studied for histomorphological features.

Results: The most common neoplasms in our study were epithelial neoplasms, of which, pleomorphic adenomas (benign) had the highest frequency followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma(malignant). These were followed by lymphoid tumors which included reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and malignant lymphomas. Mesenchymal tumors included neurofibromas and lymphangioma. There was one case of metastatic breast carcinoma.

Conclusion: Histopathology is critical in diagnosing and classifying neoplastic lesions of the lacrimal gland. Histopathology along with radiological findings provides an insight into the malignant potential and prognosis of the tumor. Thus, histopathological examination in addition to clinical and radiological findings aids in the accurate diagnosis and rational management of lacrimal gland neoplasms.

Keywords: Lacrimal gland, Neoplasms, Histomorphology.

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Dr Sneha Ashok Motwani

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