SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LACRIMAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM - CASE-REPORTAND LITERATURE-REVIEW

Aims and background: Epithelial malignant tumors of the lacrimal drain age system are rare. The most prevalent type is squamous cell carcinom a. These tumors generally present with aspecific symptoms suggestive o f chronic dacryocystitis, with the result that diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. Methods and study design: We present the case of a patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal ducts and disc uss the clinical and pathological features of these neoplasms, togethe r with diagnostic and therapeutic strategies according to the data ava ilable in the literature. Results and conclusion: The diagnostic and t herapeutic approach to this kind of rare tumors has to be planned care fully, Radiographic examination of all masses arising in the medial ca nthus is essential. Dacryocystography allows the identification of spa ce-occupying tumors in the lacrimal sac, Computed tomography and magne tic resonance imaging provide the most useful information about the ex tent of the neoplasm and its relationship with surrounding bone struct ures and soft tissues. Histological examination of a biopsy sample obt ained by standard dacryocystectomy is essential to confirm the diagnos is. The treatment of choice is primarily surgical, consisting of compl ete resection with longterm follow-up. A number of surgical procedures have been described, which are more or less aggressive depending on t he extension of the tumor. Radiotherapy is indicated when bone or lymp hatic invasion is evident, and when neoplastic cells are present in th e resection margins. Radiotherapy alone is not considered a treatment of choice, but only a palliative option in selected cases. The follow- up data available in the literature are incomplete. In most of the lit erature reports, relapse occurs in 50% of patients within 5 years.