CARCINOMAS OF THE LACRIMAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Primary carcinomas of the lacrimal drainage system are rare. These mal ignant neoplasms typically present as noncompressible, nontender masse s with low-grade dacyrocystitis and/or unilateral epiphora. Lymph node metastasis may occur late in the disease course. Complete surgical re section is the best treatment choice; extensive procedures such as orb ital exenteration and maxillectomy may be necessary for complete tumor extirpation. Further adjunctive radiotherapy may improve local contro l. We present two cases of carcinoma of the lacrimal drainage system, including one locally controlled tumor with apparent lymph node metast asis that occurred 21 years after primary treatment. A review of the h istopathology and literature concerning carcinomas of the lacrimal dra inage system is presented.