title: [Lacrimal duct tumors: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fewer than 250 primary tumors of the lacrimal duct have been reported in the international literature. Because their signs and symptoms are nonspecific and usually subclinical, delayed diagnosis is common. Treatment for malignant epithelial tumors is surgical, with or without radiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a retrospective analysis of five patients with malignant lacrimal duct tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients were diagnosed with carcinoma requiring wide en bloc surgical resection with surgical reconstruction. One underwent adjuvant radiation therapy. Another experienced simultaneous local and lymph node recurrence after 3 years and underwent curative surgery. Two additional patients were diagnosed with diffuse malignant large B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early symptoms of lacrimal duct tumors are nonspecific and mimic acute dacryocystitis. Lacrimal system CT, MRI and rhinoscopy may allow for earlier diagnosis. Surgical treatment requires resection with wide margins and reconstruction of the medial canthal region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only an early diagnosis can reduce the impairment related to surgery and the extent of the required reconstruction, as well as improve survival.
authors.affiliation: Département de chirurgie cervicofaciale, institut Gustave-Roussy, 114, rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France. fdeneuve@club-internet.fr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deneuve
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bidault
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Casiraghi
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Le Ridant
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kolb
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Piaton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Julieron
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000473:pathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies