GLANDULAR TUMORS OF THE LACRIMAL SAC - THEIR HISTOPATHOLOGIC PATTERNSAND POSSIBLE ORIGINS

Purpose: To describe and characterize the primary lacrimal sac epithel ial tumors of glandular origin, and to describe their possible source from glands in the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct walls. Methods: The authors conducted a clinicopathologic study on 14 patients with ep ithelial lacrimal sac tumors of possible glandular origin, In addition , they reviewed 35 surgical specimens of the lacrimal sac and nasolacr imal duct region and 13 cadaver specimens of the lacrimal sac region. Results: Six of the tumors were benign: four were oncocytomas and two were pleomorphic adenomas, Eight of the tumors were malignant: three w ere oncocytic adenocarcinomas, three were adenoid cystic carcinomas, a nd two were adenocarcinomas. All tumors were from adults, ranging in a ge from 38 to 87 years. Twenty-eight of the 47 specimens of lacrimal s ac and nasolacrimal duct region showed mixed glands of serous and muco us elements. Conclusions: Although rare, benign and malignant glandula r lacrimal sac tumors should be considered in the differential diagnos is of lacrimal sac obstruction, Their possible origin is from the norm al glands that exist under the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct epit helium.