The eye and its appendages are positioned within a bony cavity in the skull known as the orbit or eye socket. Inside this anatomical space are tissues such as fat, nerves, vessels, and glands. Any one of these tissues can transform into a tumor.
An orbital tumor will usually manifest as exophthalmos, meaning that the eye is pushed forward. Depending on the type of tumor, the patient may also experience double vision, decreased visual acuity and pain.
The diagnosis of eye tumors starts by doing an CT scan of the orbit. This exam will allow the surgeon to detect the exact location and size of the mass. Next, the surgeon will decide to perform an incisional biopsy, in which he takes a small piece of the tumor for pathological analysis, or an excisional biopsy, in which the surgeon removes the entire mass.
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