The lacrimal glands are the glands which make our tears. There are two lacrimal glands, one above and to the outer side of each of our eyes.
Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) of the lacrimal gland can affect people of any age. Symptoms may include
- pain in the eye
- drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis)
- double vision
- a lump in upper outer part of the eye socket
Sometimes a slight fullness, or swelling, of the outer half of the upper eyelid is noticed before any other symptoms develop.
Tests such as CT or MRI scans and a biopsy (taking a sample of tissue from the mass) are helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
They tend to be slow growing cancers but can grow into the surrounding nerves and bone of the eye socket (the orbit). This makes it difficult to remove them completely. So there is a tendency for these cancers to come back, often after quite a few years.
The main treatment is usually surgery. Unfortunately, because the cancer can spread into nearby nerves and bone, this usually involves removing the eye and some of the surrounding bone. Sometimes radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be given as well, to try to increase the chance of a cure.
Reference
- Tse D et al. Clinical analysis of the effect of intraarterial cytoreductive chemotherapy in the treatment of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2006; 141: 44-53