Primary orbital sarcoma in adults: a case series with emphasis on post-irradiation sarcoma

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe a series of eight adult patients with primary orbital sarcoma and to review the existing literature on orbital sarcoma and post-irradiation sarcoma.

Methods

Report of eight cases and literature review.

Results

We report eight cases of primary orbital sarcoma, three of which were radiation-induced. Only one patient had a history of retinoblastoma. The most common presentations were painful proptosis and reduced vision. Most tumours arose in the extraconal compartment. The overall median age at diagnosis was 50 years. The pathology comprised a diverse group of tumours. Treatment and outcome varied between patients and their clinical circumstances.

Conclusions

Adult primary orbital sarcomas are rare. They can comprise a variety of tumour types and are difficult to treat. Irradiation is a significant risk factor, and the incidence of post-irradiation sarcoma of the orbit may be increasing due to the widespread use of radiotherapy and improved survival of patients with cancer. Post-irradiation sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an orbital space-occupying lesion in a patient with a history of radiotherapy.

KEYWORDS:

• orbit
• pathology
• sarcoma
• oncology
• irradiation

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2022.2160766

Additional information

Funding

The authors report that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.