Treatment options for ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL)

[New systemic treatment approach for primary lymphoma of the orbit and the ocular adnexa]

BACKGROUND

Orbital lymphomas are the most frequently occurring malignant tumor entities in this region. They are less frequently also localized in the ocular adnexa and show a high entity-specific heterogeneity regarding the treatment and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

This article gives an overview of the heterogeneity of symptoms of orbital lymphoma and lymphoma of the ocular adnexa and focuses on new systemic options for treatment of this disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this article a systematic search of the PubMed databank was carried out and the practical knowledge of the authors was taken into account.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Orbital lymphoma and lymphoma of the ocular adnexa show a high variability in the clinical symptoms and therefore require a comprehensive ophthalmological examination of the affected patients. Histopathologically assisted diagnostics after an incisional biopsy are essential for the classification into the various lymphoma entities. This is necessary for developing and carrying out a targeted treatment concept consisting of local and systemic treatment modalities. Especially for the new systemic treatment approaches, in addition to the histopathological classification of the lymphoma entity it is also necessary to analyze the molecular features in order to efficiently implement the new highly specific medications. Finally, a close interdisciplinary cooperation of all disciplines involved is absolutely necessary for the best possible treatment, including ophthalmology, hemato-oncology, radiotherapy, radiology, pathology and psycho-oncology. Depending on the localization of the tumor, inclusion of otorhinolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery and/or neurosurgery can be necessary.

Iatrogenic Ocular Surface Complications After Surgery for Ocular and Adnexal Tumors

Background/Objectives: The management of ocular tumors often necessitates surgery, either alone or in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other modalities. While crucial for tumor control, these treatments can significantly impact the ocular surface, leading to both acute and chronic complications. This review examines iatrogenic ocular surface diseases resulting from oncologic interventions, emphasizing their pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify studies on iatrogenic ocular surface complications associated with ocular tumor treatments. Results: Ocular surface complications include direct damage from surgical manipulation, leading to corneal opacities and persistent epithelial defects, as well as dry eye disease secondary to postoperative chemosis. These disruptions may progress to more severe conditions such as keratopathy, corneal ulcers, limbal stem cell deficiency, and stromal scarring, further impairing visual function. Structural alterations contribute to eyelid malpositions-including ectropion, entropion, round eye, and lagophthalmos-which exacerbate exposure-related damage and ocular surface instability. In cases of uveal melanomas, the exposure of episcleral brachytherapy plaques can induce chronic conjunctival irritation, promoting adhesion formation and symblepharon. Surgical interventions disrupt ocular surface homeostasis, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy exacerbate these effects through cytotoxic and inflammatory mechanisms. Conclusions: Preventing and managing iatrogenic ocular surface complications require a multidisciplinary approach involving early diagnosis, personalized treatment strategies, and targeted postoperative care. Comprehensive pre- and postoperative planning is essential to optimize both visual function and long-term ocular surface integrity, ultimately ensuring a balance between oncologic control with functional and aesthetic preservation.

Ocular adnexal lymphoma - A single-center observational study of survival outcomes

PURPOSE

This study aims to comprehensively characterize the clinical, demographic, and histopathological features of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and assess their impact on patients' survival outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 123 patients were included in the study; of these, 93 patients were selected for survival analysis. Survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier test, and correlation was assessed through the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median age at presentation was 56 years. Furthermore, 98% of patients had primary OAL. The orbit was the most common site of involvement. The majority of patients were of B-cell origin (98%), and only 2% of patients had T-cell lymphoma. In addition, 83% of patients were treated with chemotherapy, and with a median follow-up of 38 months, complete remission was achieved in 48% of patients. The median progression-free survival was 26.4 months. The presence of disseminated disease was strongly linked to an unfavorable prognosis ( P < 0.001) and reduced survival ( P = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

The 5-year overall survival of the entire study cohort was 81%. The prognosis for OAL is found to be favorable, but the presence of dissemination serves as a notable predictor for poor prognosis.

Ocular adnexal lymphoma - a retrospective study and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

To review the characteristics of all Slovenian patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) in the period of 24 years with the aim of evaluating demographic data, lymphoma location and type, disease stage, treatment modality, local control rate and survival rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with histologically diagnosed OAL in the main tertiary centre of Slovenia, Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, who were treated at Institute of Oncology Ljubljana were included in the study. Patients' data were collected from October 1995 through April 2019.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were included in the study having a median age of 68 years at diagnosis. The majority of lymphomas were of B-cell origin (98.6%). The most frequent type was the extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MALT) (71.6%). Orbital lymphomas were diagnosed in 56 cases (75.7%) and conjunctival in 18 cases (24.3%). Ocular manifestation was the first sign of the disease in 78.4% of patients and in 67.6% of patients ocular adnexa were the only disease location. Fifty-one patients (68.9%) were treated with radiotherapy, 7 patients (9.4%) with systemic treatment, 5 patients (6.8%) with combined radiotherapy and systemic treatment and in 11 patients, biopsy and active surveillance strategy was applied (14.9%). Local control of the disease was achieved in 96.6% of treated patients. Median overall survival of the whole study group has not been reached yet. Five-year overall survival rate was 80.1% (95% CI 68.1% - 88.5%) and 5-year lymphoma specific survival rate was 87.2% (95% CI 83.2%-91.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

OALs comprise a group of heterogeneous diseases with variable outcomes depending predominately on the patient's age and lymphoma type, with low grade lymphomas carrying good prognosis even in elderly patients.

Lymphoma involvement of the eyelid and eye

Lymphomas of the eye and ocular adnexa are rare lymphoproliferative diseases of the ocular and ocular adnexal tissue. The incidence of these diseases has been rapidly increasing over the past few decades. The exact pathogenesis remains unknown, but it is postulated to be multifactorial and includes genetic aberrations, epigenetic and environmental factors, infectious agents, and chronic antigenic stimulation. The majority of ocular and ocular adnexal lymphomas are of B-cell origin, except for eyelid lymphomas, which are more often of T-cell type. Lymphoproliferative diseases of ocular and ocular adnexal structures are either primary, when they arise in the eye, orbit, lacrimal gland, eyelid, and/or conjunctiva, or secondary extranodal manifestation of systemic lymphoma. Diagnosis is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, dermatologists, oncologists, and radiation oncologists.

Ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a narrative review

Lymphoma is the most common primary tumor of the orbit, accounting for 55% of all orbital malignancies. When divided into histopathological subtypes, extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) comprises the largest proportion. Clinical manifestations are unspecific, but in patients with slow-growing painless orbital mass, or red conjunctival lesion suggestive of 'salmon patch', ocular adnexa lymphoma (OAL) should be suspected. Although the pathogenetic mechanism of ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma (OAML) is not yet fully understood, the relationship between OAML and Chlamydia psittaci has been hypothesized recently, similar to that between gastric MALT lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori. This suggests a new treatment option for OAML; bacterial eradication therapy with systemic antibiotics. Several other treatment methods for OAML have been introduced, but no treatment guidelines have been established yet. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge on the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, therapeutic strategies, and prognosis of OAML.

Radiation Therapy Efficacy and Toxicity for Orbital and Ocular Adnexal Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (OAMALT): A Single-Center, Retrospective Study of 32 Cases

Purpose

Lymphomas of the orbit and ocular adnexa are histologically heterogeneous and their incidence rate has been increasing lately. However, because of their rarity and diversity, few cases have been analyzed. This study evaluated patients with orbital and ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (OAMALT), who received radiotherapy, and categorized their clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and complications.

Patients and Methods

We collected data on clinical presentation, age, sex, imaging, tumor location, treatment methods, pathological diagnosis, cataract incidence, cataract incidence periods, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) from 32 patients with orbital involvement and pathologically confirmed marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT who were treated between 2009 and 2018. Twenty-two patients received 20 Gy/10 Fr using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plus 14 Gy/7 Fr using a 6–14-MeV electron beam therapy using a lens-sparing approach. Ten patients received 32 Gy/16 Fr or 34 Gy/17 Fr using IMRT without the lens shield technique. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate DFS and OS.

Results

The median follow-up time was 83.4 ± 24.5 months. No patient had local recurrence, although three patients developed distant metastases. The 5-year and 10-year OS rates were both 100%. The 5-year and 10-year DFS rates were 96.7% and 74.2%, respectively. Overall, 11 (32.4%) of the 34 lenses developed cataracts. The estimated 5-year, 7-year, and 10-year cumulative cataract rates were 6.9%, 30.9%, and 60.8%, respectively. The median cumulative cataract incidence period was 107.0 months. Age was the only significant parameter associated with cataract formation.

Conclusion

A radiation dose of 32–34 Gy yields excellent local control, DFS, and OS for OAMALT. Some patients may have systemic relapse, and better identification of these patients is necessary. Reducing the prescription radiation dose or using better radiation techniques to spare the ipsilateral lens could reduce cataract formation.

High throughput sequencing reveals high specificity of TNFAIP3 mutations in ocular adnexal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas

The majority of ocular adnexal (OA) lymphomas (OAL) are extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). First high throughput sequencing (HTS) studies on OA-MZL showed inconsistent results and the distribution of mutations in reactive lymphoid lesions of this anatomic region has not yet been sufficiently addressed. We characterized OAL and lymphoid lesions of the OA by targeted HTS. The study included 34 OA-MZL, 11 chronic conjunctivitis, five mature small cell B-cell lymphomas spreading to the OA, five diseases with increase of IgG4+ plasma cells, three Burkitt lymphomas (BL), three diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), three mantle cell lymphomas, three idiopathic orbital inflammations/orbital pseudo tumors (PT), and three OA lymphoid hyperplasia. All cases were negative for Chlamydia. The mutational number was highest in BL and lowest in PT. The most commonly (and exclusively) mutated gene in OA-MZL was TNFAIP3 (10 of 34 cases). Altogether, 20 out of 34 patients harbored mutually exclusive mutations of either TNFAIP3, BCL10, MYD88, ATM, BRAF, or NFKBIE, or nonexclusive mutations of IRF8, TNFRSF14, KLHL6, and TBL1XR1, all encoding for NK-κB pathway compounds or regulators. Thirteen patients (38%) had, to a great part, mutually exclusive mutations of chromatin modifier-encoding genes: KMT2D, CREBBP, BCL7A, DNMT3A, EP300, or HIST1H1E. Only four patients harbored co-occurring mutations of genes encoding for NK-κB compounds and chromatin modifiers. Finally, PTEN, KMT2D, PRDM1, and HIST1H2BK mutations were observable in reactive lymphoid lesions too, while such instances were devoid of NF-κB compound mutations and/or mutations of acetyltransferase-encoding genes. In conclusion, 80% of OA-MZL display mutations of either NK-κB compounds or chromatin modifiers. Lymphoid lesions of the OA bearing NF-κB compound mutations and/or mutations of acetyltransferase-encoding genes highly likely represent lymphomas.

Conjunctival lymphoma during pregnancy: a case report

Background

To present a case of conjunctival lymphoma in a young woman complicated by pregnancy.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a 2-year history of progressive right blepharoptosis. Giant papillomatous sessile masses were identified in the upper and lower fornix bilaterally and involved the tarsus of the right upper lid. The remaining ophthalmic examination was unremarkable. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry showed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma with immunoglobulin kappa monotype. Further workup showed no evidence of systemic lymphoma or orbital involvement.

Conclusions

Partial regrowth of conjunctival lymphoma occurred 6 months after excision and the MALT lymphoma remained indolent during the course of her pregnancy without radiotherapy.

Primary Orbital Follicular Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review

Orbital Lymphomas (OL) constitute a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders of the orbit. They are predominantly of the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) subtype. Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in localized orbital tumours, while chemotherapy is reserved for systemic disease. Authors report a case of a primary orbital lymphoma of follicular subtype (stage 1E) in a 54-year-old female managed by surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Systemic Rituximab Immunotherapy in the Management of Primary Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma: Single Institution Experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of systemic rituximab immunotherapy in the management of primary ocular adnexal lymphomas (OAL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical records of 10 consecutive patients (11 eyes) with biopsy-proven OAL managed with systemic anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab; 375 mg/m(2) intravenously once every three weeks for 6-8 cycles) between June 2008-March 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography were performed to evaluate any orbital and systemic involvement, respectively. Clinical response was classified as complete or partial.

RESULTS

The age of patients ranged between 27-85 (median, 55) years. Nine patients (90%) presented with unilateral and one (10%) with bilateral conjunctival involvement. Orbit was affected in 4 patients (40%), one of which had also choroidal involvement (10%). None of the patients had systemic involvement at initial presentation. All patients received an average of 7 cycles (range, 6-8) of systemic immunotherapy. After a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 10-61 months), complete response without recurrence could be achieved in 4 eyes (36%) with rituximab monotherapy. No systemic or ocular side effects were observed in any patient. Additional radiotherapy was required in 6 patients (7 eyes; 64%) with partial response or recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete regression of primary OALs without recurrence was observed in about one-third of eyes after systemic rituximab monotherapy. Adjunctive radiotherapy was required in remaining two-thirds of the cases to achieve complete response. Thus, considering the balance between high rate of local control and potential ocular complications of radiotherapy, systemic rituximab can be considered as a first-line therapeutic option in the management of primary OAL.

Orbital lymphoma: imaging features and differential diagnosis

Purpose

Patterns of orbital lymphoma at diagnosis and follow-up are described. We also discuss differential diagnosis of orbital masses.

Materials and methods

This pictorial review contains 19 cases of orbital lymphoma before and after treatment. Superior-lateral quadrant and extra-conal location were observed predominantly. Effective response after treatment was presented on follow-up imaging, although few local relapses were found. Further follow-up showed no changes of residual images.

Discussion

Location of orbital masses can help in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, imaging features of lymphoma at diagnosis can be useful in planning surgical biopsy. Pattern of follow-up described may be relevant on monitoring imaging.

Teaching points

• Orbital lymphoma involves mainly superior-lateral quadrant and the orbital structures inside.

• Location of retrobulbar mass-like lesions are useful information in the differential diagnosis.

• Satisfactory response is detected after treatment, however relapse is noted, so follow-up is needed.

Chlamydia psittaci in ocular adnexa MALT lymphoma: a possible role in lymphomagenesis and a different geographical distribution

Ocular adnexa MALT-lymphomas represent approximatively 5-15% of all extranodal lymphomas. Almost 75% of OAMLs are localized in orbital fat, while 25% of cases involves conjunctive. MALT-lymphomas often recognize specific environmental factors responsible of lymphoma development and progression. In particular as Helicobacter pylori in gastric MALT lymphomas, other bacterial infections have been recognized related to MALT lymphomas in specific site. Recently Chlamydia psittaci has been identified in Ocular Adnexa MALT lymphomas, with variable frequence dependently from geographic areas. Thus bacterial infection is responsible of clonal selection on induced MALT with subsequent lymphoma development. Moreover Chlamydia psittaci could promote chromosomal aberration either through genetic instability as a consequence of induced proliferation and probably through DNA oxidative damage. The most common translocation described in MALT lymphomas affects NF-kB pathway with a substantial antiapoptotic effect. Several therapeutic approaches are now available, but the use of antibiotic-therapy in specific cases, although with conflicting results, could improve the treatment of ocular adnexa MALT lymphomas. In this review we analyse the most relevant features of Ocular adnexa MALT lymphomas, underlining specific biological characteristics mainly related to the potential role of Chlamydia psittaci in lymphomagenesis.

Intralesional administration of rituximab for treatment of CD20 positive orbital lymphoma: safety and efficacy evaluation

B-cell lymphomas constitute the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the ocular adnexal, often presenting with localized disease. Five patients with primary localized CD20 positive B cell non Hodgkin ocular adnexal lymphomas received intralesional rituximab at the dose of 5mg once a week for one month, followed by 10mg weekly in case of incomplete response. Four of five patients obtained regression of symptoms and 2 of them showed complete response. No patients experienced side effects besides pain on the site of the injection. Local treatment with Rituximab for OAL is a safe and useful first-line therapeutic option.

Bilateral conjunctival extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (EMZLs), while relatively common in adults, are rare entities in the pediatric population. A subclass of the typically aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas, the few reported pediatric cases indicate that, as in adults, these tumors tend to be indolent. We present a case of EMZL arising in the conjunctivae in a 9-year-old male with bilateral disease. The patient was treated with surgical excision alone and has remained disease-free 6 years after the operation.