Tumors of the eye and ocular adnexa at the Philippine Eye Research Institute: a 10-year review

Primary Conjunctival Basal Cell Carcinoma Mimicking an Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia in a Young Adult Filipino: A Case Report and Literature Review

Objective: To describe the morphological and histopathological features of primary conjunctival basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in a young adult Filipino. Introduction: Malignant conjunctival tumors arise from different cells, the most common of which are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), (including ocular surface squamous neoplasia [OSSN]), melanomas, and lymphomas. Primary conjunctival BCC is rare and can mimic the clinical features of OSSN. Only seven reported cases were published. Most cases are in the 6th-8th decades of life, and we report the first case in a young adult male. Case Summary: A 37/M, HIV-seronegative, presenting with a 3-year history of enlarging fleshy, pedunculated mass on the right eye measuring 8.5 mm × 8.0 mm at the superonasal limbus encroaching on the cornea, with prominent feeder vessels. Whitish-to-grayish plaques were observed on the surface of the lesions. Wide excision of the mass using the no-touch technique was performed under local anesthesia. Four cycles of mitomycin C (0.02%) were administered as chemoadjuvant therapy. Histopathology showed basaloid cells with peripheral palisading, most consistent with BCC. Immunohistochemistry was positive for Bcl-2 and CD10 markers and negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), confirming conjunctival BCC. Eight weeks postoperatively, fibrovascular tissue proliferation was noted at the excision site. Anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) revealed a thickened hyperreflective band that was continuous with the epithelium, indicating possible recurrence. Resection with rush frozen section revealed fibrotic tissue that was negative for tumor cells. The bare sclera was covered with conjunctival autograft. There was no recurrence of the lesion after 16 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Primary BCC of the conjunctiva is rarely encountered, especially in young individuals, mimicking squamous neoplasia both in morphology and histopathology. Therefore, this should be considered in the differential diagnosis of OSSN. Immunostaining is crucial in differentiating between the two conditions and confirming the diagnosis. In most cases, wide surgical excision is sufficient. In addition, adjuvant therapies may be beneficial in preventing tumor recurrence.

Eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinicopathological studies of prevalence

INTRODUCTION

Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid is an aggressive tumour with the ability to metastasise and an increased morbidity. Controversies regarding the epidemiology of this malignant eyelid tumour is widespread in the scientific literature. Western reports repeatedly describes eyelid SGC as a rare occurring tumour in general, accounting for 1%-3% of all eyelid tumours, however studies from Asia have uncovered a higher frequency of eyelid SGC including 54% of all eyelid tumours in Japan, and 43%-56% in India. We wish to retrieve observational data of eyelid SGC prevalence in proportion to total eyelid tumours, from pathological studies published worldwide to resolve this controversy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and Google Scholar to identify published reports on eyelid SGC prevalence proportions, aiming to clarify the incidence of the tumour. We will include observational clinicopathological studies reporting prevalence with confirmed histopathology. No limitations on publication date or language will be applied. Data from the individual studies and study quality will be extracted by two individual reviewers. Study quality will be assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Instrument for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Raw proportions will be transformed and pooled using a random effects model for meta-analysis. And subgroup analysis according to geography will be performed. If data are deemed unsuitable for a meta-analysis, a narrative synthesis will be presented. We will judge the certainty of evidence and present whether this has an overall effect on the results. The results may shed light on a long-standing academic disparity of the scientific literature.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review does not require ethical approval. The results of this proposed review will be the subject to a publication in an international peer-reviewed journal within the ophthalmic or pathological specialty.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023487141.

Retinoblastoma in the Southern Philippines: Clinical Outcomes of Retinoblastoma Patients in a Davao Tertiary Hospital

Background

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer in childhood in the Philippines. Most data though on demographics, clinical profile, treatment options, and outcomes in the country are from the National Capital Region.

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the demographics, clinical profile, treatment done, and outcomes of retinoblastoma patients seen in a public tertiary referral center in Davao from 2011-2020 to make available literature more representative of the status of retinoblastoma in the Philippines.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using the records of retinoblastoma patients seen in a tertiary government hospital located in Davao Region from January 2011 to December 2020.

Results

There were 157 patients included in the analysis. Seventy-three (46%) were female with 44% coming from the Davao Region. One hundred seven (69%) patients had unilateral disease. Median age at initial consultation for patients with unilateral disease was significantly older than those with bilateral disease (p<0.003). Tumors were extraocular in 82 (40%) eyes. In the intraocular group, 36% of the eyes belonged to International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) Groups D and E. Enucleation was the most commonly performed treatment. Survival rate was 28%.This is the first report to provide epidemiologic and clinical data on retinoblastoma in the literature, including survival data, from Mindanao. Advanced stages and extraocular cases of retinoblastoma remain high. Delay of consultation contributed to the prognosis and clinical outcome of the disease.

Conclusion

Advanced stages and extraocular cases of retinoblastoma remain significantly high in the country, even in Mindanao.

Philippine retinoblastoma initiative multi-eye center study 2010-2020

AIM

To provide a comprehensive and more representative national data on the disease, especially on treatment options and outcomes, and to determine access of retinoblastoma patients from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to eye care, and determine if access is associated with delay in consultation, staging and outcomes.

METHODS

Cohort study of retinoblastoma patients seen in eleven institutions located in the three major areas of the Philippines namely Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao from 2010-2020.

RESULTS

Totally 636 patients, involving 821 eyes, were included. Majority (57%) were from Luzon and were seen in institutions in Luzon (72%). Annually, 58±10 new cases were seen with 71% having unilateral disease. Median delay of consultation remained long at 9 (3, 17)mo, longest in patients with unilateral disease (P<0.02) and those from the Visayas (P<0.003). Based on the International Retinoblastoma Staging System, only 35% of patients had Stage 1 while 47% already had extraocular disease. Enucleation was the most common treatment received by 484 patients while intravenous chemotherapy was received by 469. There were 250 (39%) patients alive, 195 (31%) dead, 85 (13%) abandoned, 17 (3%) refused and 89 (14%) with no data.

CONCLUSION

This study presents the largest cohort of retinoblastoma patients in the Philippines in terms of patients' and participating institutions' number and geographical location and type of institution (private and public). It also presents more comprehensive data on the treatments used and outcomes (survival, globe salvage, and vision retention rates). Delay in consultation was still long among patients leading to advanced disease stage and lower survival rate. Despite increasing capacity to diagnose and manage retinoblastoma in the country, the delay of consultation remains long primarily due to accessibility issues to eye care institutions especially in the Visayas and financial concerns. The delay was still significant that overall survival rate remain low.

Advanced Technologies of Drug Delivery to the Posterior Eye Segment Targeting Angiogenesis and Ocular Cancer

Retinoblastoma (RB), a childhood retinal cancer is caused due to RB1 gene mutation which affects the child below 5 years of age. Angiogenesis has been proven its role in RB metastasis due to the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RB cells. Therefore, exploring angiogenic pathway by inhibiting VEGF in treating RB would pave the way for future treatment. In preclinical studies, anti-VEGF molecule have shown their efficacy in treating RB. However, treatment requires recurrent intra-vitreal injections causing various side effects along with patient nonadherence. As a result, delivery of anti-VEGF agent to retina requires an ocular delivery system that can transport it in a non-invasive manner to achieve patient compliance. Moreover, development of these type of systems are challenging due to the complicated physiological barriers of eye. Adopting a non-invasive or minimally invasive approach for delivery of anti-VEGF agents would not only address the bioavailability issues but also improve patient adherence to therapy overcoming the side effects associated with invasive approach. The present review focuses on the eye cancer, angiogenesis and various novel ocular drug delivery systems that can facilitate inhibition of VEGF in the posterior eye segment by overcoming the eye barriers.

Comparative analysis of ultrasonic elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of benign and malignant intraocular tumors

PURPOSE

To compare the diagnostic value of ultrasonic elastosonography (UE) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for benign and malignant intraocular tumors.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled patients with intraocular tumors at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (August 2016 to January 2020). The strain rate ratio (strain rate of tumor tissue divided by strain rate of surrounding normal tissue) was measured by UE. CEUS was performed using SonoVue® contrast agent. The performance of each method at differentiating benign from malignant intraocular tumors was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis included 147 eyes in 145 patients (45.6 ± 13.4 years-old; 66 males): 117 patients (119 eyes) with malignant tumors and 28 patients (28 eyes) with benign tumors. At an optimal cutoff of 22.67 for the strain rate ratio, UE distinguished benign from malignant tumors with a sensitivity of 86.6% and a specificity of 96.4%. CEUS showed that 117 eyes with malignant tumors had a fast-in, fast-out time-intensity curve, and only two eyes with malignant tumors had a fast-in, slow-out curve, while all 28 eyes with benign tumors had a fast-in, slow-out curve. CEUS differentiated benign from malignant tumors with a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 100%. The diagnostic results differed significantly between the two methods (P = 0.004, McNemar test). The diagnostic performances of the two tests were moderately consistent (κ = 0.657, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both CEUS and UE have good diagnostic value in the differentiation of benign intraocular tumors from malignant intraocular tumors.

A 5-year review of 1220 malignant periocular tumours in an English county

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence, proportion and location of periocular tumours in an English county over a five year period, and compare to other studies in the UK and worldwide.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A retrospective review of histopathology reports was performed for all periocular excision biopsies of malignancies from the county's three main hospitals over a 5-year period. These hospitals cover a population of just over one million. Tumours were classified according to type and location.

RESULTS

1220 lesions were included in this study. Right-sided lesions were more common than left. The incidence of basal cell carcinoma was 22 per 100,000 and squamous cell carcinoma 1.3 per 100,000, which were found most commonly on the lower eyelid and eyebrow respectively. The incidences of all other types of lesions were less than 0.5 per 100,000 per year.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of periocular basal cell carcinomas in the predominantly elderly Caucasian population was at least three times the published national average. The high incidence of periocular tumours in this North East Anglian county is set to increase further as the proportion of over 65 year olds in the population is predicted to nearly double within two decades.

Pediatric Oculo-orbital Tumor Characteristics, Imaging and Histopathology Agreement in a Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Oculo-orbital tumors are frequently encountered pathologies and late diagnosis results in high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This study aims to assess the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging patterns of pediatric oculo-orbital tumors with particular emphasis on retinoblastoma and compare agreement between imaging and histopathology diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 101 pediatric patients with oculo-orbital lesions from February 2017 to January 2020 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital oncology center. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data, history, physical examination, pretreatment eye exam under anesthesia (EUA), computed tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology reports. The agreement between imaging and histopathology diagnosis was analyzed.

RESULTS

Malignant oculo-orbital tumors represented 97 (96.1%) cases. Age group 2-5 years had 56 (55.4%) cases of oculo-orbital tumors. Retinoblastoma accounted for 78 (77.2%) followed by rhabdomyosarcoma in 8 (7.9%) patients. The primary patient complaint was proptosis in 78 (77.2%) followed by leukocoria in 16 (15.8%). In 88 (89.7%) cases, there was agreement between imaging and histologic findings with 72 out of the 75 histopathology confirmed cases of retinoblastoma showing an agreement. Retinoblastoma patients presented at an advanced stage with orbital and intracranial extension.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, patients with oculo-orbital tumors presented with advanced stage of disease. Excellent imaging and histopathology agreement was demonstrated.

Eyelid Tumours in Northern Malaysia: A Five-Year Review

Background The majority of eyelid tumours are benign in nature and constitute 82%-98% of all eyelid tumours. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and frequency of histopathological diagnoses of eyelid tumours encountered in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB), Malaysia, from 2016 to 2020. Method This study is a case series of 136 patients with eyelid tumours who underwent eyelid biopsy. Result Twenty-three (17%) patients were below 18 years old, 64 (47%) patients were between 19 and 64 years old and 49 (36%) patients were more than 65 years old. The mean age in this study was 47.9 ± 25.4 years. The most common benign eyelid tumours were dermoid cyst (31, 22.8%), melanocytic nevus (19, 14%), granuloma (17, 12.5%), squamous cell papilloma (13, 9.6%) and epidermal cyst (12, 8.8%). Most of the benign eyelid tumours occurred at the upper lids (79.8%), and most of the malignant eyelid tumours occurred at the lower lids (81.8%). The most common malignant eyelid tumours were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (6, 14.3%), followed by malignant lymphoma (3, 6.1%) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (2, 4.1%). Eight out of nine cases of BCC were located at the lower lids. All malignant lymphomas were primary lymphoma. Five were extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and one was follicular lymphoma. All cases with benign and malignant tumours required only a single surgery for excision, and none of the cases had a recurrence. Conclusion There were limited references to the epidemiology of histopathological diagnoses of eyelid tumours in Malaysia. Although benign lesions comprise the majority of eyelid tumours, it is essential to delineate between benign and malignant eyelid tumours.

Analysis of Tumour Related Data and Clinical Features of Eyelid Carcinomas

Almost 10% of worldwide skin cancers are located at the eyelid level. In European countries, malign eyelid tumours are mostly represented by basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and usually affect elderly patients. In order to study the clinical features of eyelid tumours, and potential correlations between tumour parameters, we have enrolled a cohort of 98 subjects from a south-western region of Romania. Our study confirmed the majority of results from other European studies, as basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent malign form, being diagnosed for more than 85% of patients with declared prolonged sun exposure; tumours were mostly located on the superior eyelid, especially for males, and may present slow progression rates. We have identified significant correlations only between the tumour stage and symptoms' duration, and also between the tumour stage and smoking habit, for females.

A retrospective study of 2228 cases with eyelid tumors

AIM

To describe the histopathologic and clinical features of eyelid tumor cases from Tianjin Eye Hospital during 2002 to 2015.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, a total of 2228 cases of eyelid tumors with pathologic diagnoses were enrolled. The eyelid tumors were classified into three groups according to tumor origin: epidermal, adnexal and miscellaneous, including melanocytic, neural and vascular lesions. Inflammatory tumor-like lesions were excluded. The clinical characteristics of the eyelid tumors were analyzed, including age, gender and lesion location.

RESULTS

Most eyelid tumors were epidermal in origin (1080, 48.5%), followed by miscellaneous (885, 39.7%) and adnexal tumors (263, 11.8%). Among all the tumors, 292 (13.1%) were malignant lesions, 1910 (85.7%) benign and 26 (1.1%) premalignant lesions. Most malignant tumors originated from epidermal cells (60.0%), followed by adnexal cells (34.6%). The most common malignant tumors were basal cell carcinomas (56.5%) followed by sebaceous carcinoma (34.6%), squamous cell carcinomas (3.8%) and lymphoma/plasmocytoma (1.7%). The benign and premalignant eyelid lesions mostly originated from epidermal cells (46.4%) followed by miscellaneous cell sources (45.2%), including melanocytic nevus (33.8%), seborrheic keratosis (13.7%), squamous cell papilloma (13.0%) and epidermal cysts (11.5%).

CONCLUSION

Eyelid tumors are mostly epithelial in origin. Benign tumors are significantly more common than malignant tumors with an obvious female predominance, and the most frequent malignant tumor are basal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas. The tumor clinical features varied among the different subtypes.

Characteristics and Factors Related to Eyelid Basal Cell Carcinoma in Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE:

Data on basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from the Middle East are deficient. We present the features and management outcomes for BCC over the last 36 years in Saudi Arabia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

This retrospective chart review included BCC patients diagnosed and treated at Saudi Arabia between 1980 and 2016. Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical and histopathological characteristics of the lesions, management, and follow-up.

RESULTS:

One hundred and twenty-six patients with BCC were included in this study. The incidence of BCC in Saudi Arabia is 0.8 cases a year. The median age of the patients was 71 years. BCC affected 58.9% of males. The lower lid was the most common site of occurrence (52.7%). Clinically, BCC was most commonly recognized as a mixed lesion (41.1%) and 50.4% were histologically nodular. Risk factors for poor prognosis included tumor localization in the medial aspect of the lid, tumor size > 5 mm, histological subtype being ulcerative or morphea forms, affected margins, and recurrent lesions.

CONCLUSION:

BCC is a rare condition in Saudi Arabia. The clinical features and histopathology of BCC in Saudi Arabia are similar to the patterns observed in other regions of the world. Early detection and timely management mitigates the extensive destructive ocular/orbital damage due to BCC and results in better patient outcomes.

Survival in B-cell primary ocular lymphoma 1997-2014: a population-based study

This study sought to explore the prognostic factors in a large retrospective cohort of patients with B-cell primary ocular lymphoma (POL) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. There were 2778 patients with B-cell POL whose complete clinical information was listed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1997 and 2014. The epidemiology, therapeutic measures, and clinical characteristics were listed as descriptive statistics. Survival analysis was conducted by univariate and multivariable Cox regression models. Multivariate analysis identified age, lymphoma subtype, primary lesion, and radiation status as independent prognostic factors. For indolent lymphoma, radical treatment, especially intravenous chemotherapy, should be avoided. For invasive lymphoma, chemotherapy combined with full orbital irradiation is recommended. Radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Radiation brings benefits, with tolerable neurotoxicity, to patients with invasive B-cell POL. Radical tumor treatment may not be needed for patients with indolent B-cell POL.

Eyelid Malignancies- Always Quite Challenging

The diagnosis and management of eyelid cancers are quite challenging. Eyelid tumours are relatively rare diverse group of diseases varied in their presentation and extent. Many benign tumours and inflammatory conditions quite frequently masquerade eyelid cancers. Eyelid cancers are not single entity but comprise a wide range of tumours with extremes of tumour biology from indolent to very aggressive histopathologic types. Compromise on aesthetics and eyelids' indispensable function of protecting the eyes during management, may lead to untoward cosmetic disfigurement and loss of vision. On the other hand, inadequate cancer clearance will also be vision threatening and life threatening due to loco regional recurrence and metastasis. To strike an optimal balance is a challenging task, to achieve 'cancer cure' with maximum preservation of function and cosmetics. In addition, the integration of other modalities of treatment, judicious selection and their sequencing require multidisciplinary discussion and joint management by different specialists. We are presenting four case scenarios, we met with in our teaching hospital with reference to literature review to emphasize that eyelid malignancies are not always simple with respect to diagnosis and management.

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Parental Decision to Allow or Refuse Potentially Lifesaving Enucleation in Children with Retinoblastoma

Objective:

Retinoblastoma is the most common malignancy of the eye and ocular adnexa in the Philippines. It is curable when treated early, but delay in enucleation is common due to the parental refusal of surgery for varied reasons. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial barriers and facilitating factors for accepting versus refusing enucleation as treatment for retinoblastoma.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study utilizing structured interviews and a questionnaire. It was conducted at the Retinoblastoma Clinic of the Philippine General Hospital. A questionnaire using the Likert scale was constructed after performing key informant interviews and focus group discussions. It was pretested and revised before parents of patients with retinoblastoma were invited to participate in the study. Descriptive statistics, quantitative item analyses using inter-item correlations and item-total correlations was performed.

Results:

Factors that correlate with refusal to enucleate are the beliefs that cancer is a fatal illness, the fear of unacceptable esthetic outcome of the surgery, and the cost of treatment. Favorable factors include value of life, high regard for the opinion of medical practitioners, and appreciation of the efficacy of treatment.

Conclusions:

There are several favorable factors and barriers that health practitioners must consider in facilitating parental decision-making toward enucleation for retinoblastoma.

Anterior Chamber Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Iris Masquerading as Uveitis-Glaucoma-Hyphema Syndrome

PURPOSE

To report a case of iris non-Hodgkin lymphoma initially thought to be uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic findings in a patient with recurrent hyphemas and increased ocular pressure who eventually was found to have a rapidly growing iris mass.

RESULTS

An 89-year-old man with a history of cataract extraction and mantle cell lymphoma developed recurrent hyphema, which was subsequently revealed to be due to an iris mass. A biopsy revealed non-Hodgkin lymphoma that could not be formally subclassified but was suspicious for mantle cell lymphoma. The tumor showed a partial response to ibrutinib.

CONCLUSION

Iris lymphoma can masquerade as a cause of recurrent hyphema after cataract extraction. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this presentation, especially in patients with a history of lymphoma.