Orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a retrospective study of 22 patients

Introduction: Although the number of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cases continues to grow throughout the world, orbital NHL is still a rare tumor that is difficult to diagnose. The objective of our study was to analyze the different orbital NHLs diagnosed in our Ophthalmology Department during the last 20 years. Materiel and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of conjunctive-orbital lymphomas diagnosed in the Anniens Ophthalmology Department between 1982 and 2002. The pathological reports of 22 cases were investigated, notably the mode of onset, the clinical and radiological description, the diagnostic mode, pathological results, and the type of treatment provided for these tumors. Results: Every NHL was type B. They were for the most part low grade in terms of malignancy, isolated, primitive, orbital and inactive. Discussion: Insidious, slow-growing lesions are often found, and biopsy can be difficult. This may explain delayed diagnosis. The first differential diagnosis is inflammatory pseudotumor. Only a good biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of NHL. Conclusion: New immunohistochemistry and genetic diagnostic methods make it increasingly possible to screen for NHL, even if the clinical history can be misleading. Moreover, treatments that are more and more precisely targeted to the immunohistochemical type of NHL seem to be giving very promising results. Several studies are ongoing.