Lymphoma of the Eyelid

 
Lymphoma types found in the eyelid (do not consider this a medically accurate list):

• Lymphocytic Lymphoma
• Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
• Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma
• MALT Lymphoma
• Mantle Cell Lymphoma
• Follicular Lymphoma
• Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma
• Extranodal Marginal Zone B-cell Lymphoma
• Mycosis Fungoids
• In the Coupland et al. abstract, they even mention a case of primary Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Eyelid!

These lymphomas should not be confused with other cancers that can strike the eyelid such as non-basal cell and non-squamous cell cancers, melanoma, sebaceous carcinoma including mesenchymal tumors such as Karposi sarcoma (of AIDS fame).

Symptoms

Symptoms can appear in the eye an average of two years before they are seen elsewhere. 

Treatment

The disease itself as well as treatment, which may include external beam radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Prognosis is better if the lymphoma has not spread to other parts of the body including the central nervous system.

Causes

NEW - October 2005: New studies show that this type of lymphoma may be caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci.  It can be contracted from infected birds such as parrots. Scientists also suspect it can come from household cats because they also carry it. Chlamydia psittaci is known to cause a lung infection called psittacosis.  Story

Resources on the Web:

• NCI Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Information  
• Ocular Oncology - Eye Tumors
• Oculoplastics - Eyelid Anatomy
• NCBI - PubMed

References - digging deeper:

• Abstract: Malignant tumors of the eyelid: a population-based study of non-basal cell and non-squamous cell malignant neoplasms. Margo CE, Mulla ZD Arch Ophthalmol. 1998 Feb;116(2):195-8.
• Case Study: Lymphocytic lymphoma of the eyelid
• Case Study: Ki-1–Positive Anaplastic Large-Cell
• Abstract: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma of the Eyelid Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117:955-958.
• Abstract: Unilateral eyelid, conjunctival, and choroidal tumours as initial presentation of diffuse large-cell lymphoma SR Leff, British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1985, Vol 69, 861-864
• Abstract: Radiotherapy for extranodal, marginal zone, B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue originating in the ocular adnexa: a multiinstitutional, retrospective review of 50 patients. Uno T, et al. Cancer. 2003 Aug 15;98(4):865-71.
• Abstract: Ocular adnexal lymphoid proliferations: clinical, histologic, flow cytometric, and molecular analysis of forty-three cases. Sharara N et al., Ophthalmology. 2003 Jun;110(6):1245-54. 
• Abstract: Ocular adnexal lymphomas: five case presentations and a review of the literature. Coupland SE  Surv Ophthalmol. 2002 Sep-Oct;47(5):470-90.
• Abstract: Mycosis fungoides causing severe lower eyelid ulceration.  Game JA and Davies R, Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2002 Oct;30(5):369-71

Adult Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Information Pages:

    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Diagnosis
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Aggressive Lymphomas
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Indolent Lymphomas
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Treatment
    Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Resources

Adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma Page

    Hodgkin's Lymphoma Index

Also of interest:

• Childhood Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Information Pages
• The Lymphoma Information Network

This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author.  The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions.

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Updated October 31, 2005