Epidemiological trends in malignant lacrimal gland tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To describe epidemiological trends in lacrimal gland malignancies in the United States.


METHODS
Retrospective database review.


METHODS
Multicenter registry.


METHODS
A total of 702 malignant tumors of the lacrimal gland from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were included in the study. Disease-specific and overall survival were the primary outcome measures. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for multiple patient and tumor characteristics, including race, histology, TNM tumor stage, age at diagnosis, radiotherapy, gender, and tumor grade. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to assess the impact of patient and tumor characteristics on survival.


RESULTS
Lymphoma (58.0%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (13.4%), adenocarcinoma (3.8%), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3.6%) accounted for most tumors. Lymphoma was associated with more favorable survival rates, while adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were associated with worse prognosis. There was a steady increase in the proportion of lymphoma diagnosed since 1973. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, tumor histology remained as the only covariate correlated with disease-specific survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient characteristics and survival rates differ between lymphoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The proportion of lacrimal gland cancer diagnosed as lymphoma has steadily increased over time. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated tumor histology as one of the most important factors in patient survival. These results augment our understanding of the expected disease course of lacrimal gland malignancies.
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA michaelandreoli@gmail.com.
Michael T
MT
Andreoli
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Vinay
V
Aakalu
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Pete
P
Setabutr
D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018426:SEER Program; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
adenoid cystic carcinoma; lacrimal cancer; lacrimal gland; lacrimal lymphoma; lacrimal malignancy; lacrimal tumor; mucoepidermoid carcinoma