Locoregional recurrence in carcinoma of the ophthalmic sites: Primary cancer and secondary invasion from adjacent regions

Background: To evaluate locoregional recurrence in patients treated with local treatment. Methods: This was an institutional-based retrospective observational cohort study including 36 patients with ophthalmic plus nasal cavity (NC) and paranasal sinus carcinoma invading ophthalmic structures. Patients underwent treatment with surgery and radiotherapy. The primary outcome measure was the frequency and pattern of treatment failure. Results: Seventeen patients with ophthalmic cancer were identified with a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Most originated from the eyelid (64.7%), followed by the globe and lacrimal gland, each at 17.6%. Sebaceous carcinoma was found the most (35.3%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (29.4%). 23.5% had nodal involvement, precisely within the parotid group. All patients underwent surgery, including exenteration (n = 6). Local recurrence (LR) developed in two patients, both with SCC who underwent exenteration without postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). Regional recurrence (RR) occurred at 17.6%. None had LR and RR together. Nineteen patients with NC and paranasal sinus cancer were identified, including cancer of maxillary sinus (n = 9), ethmoid sinus (n = 7), and NC (n = 6), with a median follow-up of 8.4 months. SCC was found in 73.7%. None had parotid metastasis. Of five patients who underwent surgery, three patients required exenteration. Orbital recurrence was found in two out of five patients who developed LR, both with SCC. One underwent exenteration without PORT (the other two received PORT). The other received definitive radiotherapy. RR occurred in three patients. Conclusions: Patients requiring exenteration probably need PORT to minimize LR.