Background:Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting in the eye is a rare disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, treatment outcome and complications of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the eye.
Methods:
We designed retrospective, observational case study. The participants included 22 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the orbit and ocular adnexa treated at the Yeungnam University Hospital between 1992 and 2001.
Results:
There were 16 males (73%) and 6 females (27%). The most common presenting complaint was slowly growing mass at the eye. Histopathologic studies revealed extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, MALT type in 19 cases (86%), B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma in one case, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in one case, and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma/immunocytoma in one case. The stages of lymphomas were IA E in 17 cases (82%), IIA E in 2 cases (9%), IIIA E in 2 cases (9%). Radiotherapy
alone was employed in 17 cases, chemoradiotherapy was done in 3 cases, chemotherapy alone was administered in one case. Nineteen out of 21 cases (90%) achieved a complete remission, and 5 year survival rate was approximately 90%. Subgroup analysis of the patients with lymphomas in stage IA Erevealed that complete response rate was 100% and 5 year survival rate was 100%.
Conclusion:
Radiotherapy alone can produce durable remission in the majority of the patients with localized extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, MALT type. However, combination chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should be considered in the patients with aggressive lymphomas or indolent lymphomas with systemic manifestation.

Keywords: Orbital lymphoma, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy