Orbital Tumors Program

Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Symptoms of Orbital Tumors

The symptoms of orbital tumors may not be present, they may develop over a long period of time, or they may come on very rapidly. Symptoms often include a bulging of the eye from the orbit, causing the eyelids to appear retracted. Decreased vision, vision loss or double vision may be experienced. Some tumors can be felt or seen during examination.

Causes & Risk Factors of Orbital Tumors

The most common causes of orbital tumors are:

• Cancer metastasis: A tumor has developed elsewhere in the body and spread to the orbit
• Radiation: Exposure to radiation may increase the chance of developing certain orbital cancers
• Genetic mutations.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Orbital Tumors 

Your doctors will first evaluate your symptoms and medical history if eye cancer is suspected. A careful eye examination will then be performed, during which your vision will be checked, and the inside of your eye – or its surrounding structures – are looked at closely. Your pupils may be dilated with special eye drops to help your doctor see the structures at the back of the eye. 

Additional diagnostic tests may be needed, which might include: 

• Angiography: A test that looks for blocked or leaking blood vessels in the choroid. 
• Ultrasound: This measures the size of the structures within the eye and checks for tumors. 
• Imaging tests (CT, MRI): These are sometimes performed to diagnose orbital tumors.  

Sometimes, a biopsy may be required to determine what type of tumor is present. 

If cancer is detected, further diagnostic tests may be performed to stage the cancer.  

Treatment of Orbital Tumors 

A range of treatment options exist for orbital tumors. Treatment will depend on the type of tumor, the location and stage of the tumor, but usually consists of the following:  

• Surgery: This is usually the first line of treatment, during which the surgeon aims to completely remove the cancer. The eye may or may not need to be removed (orbital exenteration). 
• Radiation: Either internal or external, radiation involves using high doses of radiation to destroy the tumor.   
• Chemotherapy: Drugs are given which kill the cancer cells.  
• Immunotherapy

In special types of orbital cancers like lymphoma or melanoma, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy can be offered as part of the multidisciplinary approach. Your clinical team can advise further if a medical oncologist consultation is needed. 

The Orbital Tumor Program team works closely with several other departments at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients, including neurosurgery, otolaryngology, radiation oncology, radiology, plastic surgery, and internal medicine.