Ocular surface tumors: A 10-year retrospective study at Vietnam National Eye Hospital

Abstract: PURPOSE: To analyze the demographic and histopathological characteristics of ocular surface tumors over a 10-year period in Vietnam and to compare the findings with international reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with conjunctival and corneal tumors who were treated at the Vietnam National Eye Hospital between January 2014 and December 2023. Clinical and demographic data, including age, sex, and tumor type, were collected from medical records, and histopathological diagnoses were obtained from biopsy specimens. Tumors were classified as benign, premalignant, or malignant. RESULTS: A total of 1680 patients were analyzed. Benign, malignant, and premalignant tumors accounted for 76.3%, 14.9%, and 8.8% of cases, respectively. The mean age was 35.6 ± 24.0 years and increased with tumor severity (benign 28.5, premalignant 53.3, malignant 61.6 years). The overall sex distribution was balanced, but malignant tumors were more frequent in males. Epithelial tumors were the most common group (511/1680, 30.4%), followed by pigmented tumors (23.0%). Squamous cell carcinoma predominated among malignancies (59.0%), with male predominance also observed in both squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell papilloma. Rare benign and malignant entities, including schwannoma, cavernous hemangioma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, were also identified. CONCLUSION: Benign lesions predominated, while squamous cell carcinoma was the leading malignancy. Tumor severity increased with age, and males were more frequently affected by malignant tumors, particularly squamous cell carcinoma; a male predominance was also observed in squamous cell papilloma. These data outline the clinicopathological features of ocular surface tumors in Vietnam.