A clinico-pathological study of orbito-ocular tumors at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria: A 5-year review

Background: Orbito-ocular tumors are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in our environment. Patients often present late with unsightly fungating tumors resulting in difficult management and poor outcome. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical profile, diagnostic work-up, treatment and histo-pathological types of orbito-ocular tumors seen at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria from June 2006 to June 2011. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who presented to the eye clinic with orbito-ocular tumors during the study period was made. Information extracted incwudes patient demographics, clinical diagnoses, radiological and sonological reports, surgery performed, and histology reports as well as adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy where indicated. Results: A total of 54 patients were managed during the study period. Those without histology reports were excluded from the study. Forty-nine patients were included for analysis. There were 29 male and 20 female patients giving a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. Their age range was 1.5-74 years with a mean of 22 years. Eighteen of the patients had retinoblastoma, eleven had squamous cell carcinoma, two had Kaposi′ sarcoma, and one case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. There were 2 patients with pre-malignant conditions and 10 patients with benign lesions. Thirty-two of the patients had exenterations, sixteen had excisional biopsies, and one had enucleation. Seventy eight percent of the tumors were malignant. Conclusion: Most of the orbito-ocular tumors seen in this study were malignant. Delayed hospital presentation is a characteristic feature. Retinoblastoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common orbito-ocular tumors.