tumor behind eye

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with having a tumor behind her eye. The tumor is not touching the optic nerve,nor is it connected to the brain tissue. What are the options for removing the tumor before it causes damage to her eye?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Not every orbital tumor needs to be removed. If it's benign and small and not growing "watchful waiting" might be tried.

You need to be under the care of an experienced orbital surgeon, these are Eye MD ophthalmologists-physicians with extra training and a specialized practice in oculo-plastic surgery. They often have to work in teams with neurosurgeons or ENT surgeons.

About the only way to remove these is with surgery, usually coming laterally to get behind the eye.

The best thing this could be might include a dermoid which is localized and often easy to remove or a tumor of veins (venous angioma).

JCH III MD

[brooky881]

I had a tumour removed from my tear-gland (behind my eye) last year. The tumour had been there for 2 years (growing slowly), it was removed fully (by a lateral orbitotomy) and I have made a full recovery without even a scar, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

A tear glad tumor is one of the easier tumors to remove. Let's hope momy42's daughter is easy and benign also.

JCH III MD

[sanmiaoagent]

Momy42,

I am glad to found this medhelp board. I need to learn more of the removal of your tumor behind the eye.  My father is having one similar to yours. It's on the left eye.  Dr. said, it's where the nosal and ear channel met, right behing the eye.   Can you tell me more about how you got yours cure. I am seeking ways to help my father. Thank you.  Please email to ***@****.

[sanmiaoagent]

sanmiaoagent at yahoo

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Giveypup]

This is a general ophthalmologist's recommendation not affiliated with MedHelp:  Nicholas Iliff, M.D. at Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore and David Tse, M.D, at Bascom Palmer are two of the BEST and most COMPASSIONATE orbital tumor specialists in the country, if not the world.  They saved the eye of a dear friend who had an exotic orbital tumor.  Experts in L.A., SF, Madison, Chicago, Iowa, Boston, Philadelphia, Texas, and Moorfield Eye Hospital in London were stumped about what to do other than exenterate her eye.  Dr. Iliff did the surgery (and was heroically aggressive about finding out the exact pathology of the tumor since that seemed to elude a half-dozen pathologists), and although she must be CT and MRI-scanned for the rest of her natural life, the belief is that this tumor was successfully excised with zero complications of strabismus.  

One more thing--both orbital tumor specialists are not aggressively surgically, at all, so they can tell you if the tumor has to be excised or whether it is merely safe to monitor.

Best of luck.  My heart goes out to you--I have three young children.

[elanasmommy]

My 3 yr old has had a tumor on her eye since birth, now it has grown behind her eye and causing noticable dropping, and starting to bother her. Our pediatric ophthalmologist has been seeing her every six months for the past two years, now says he cannot do this type of surgery needed,because it is now behind the eye. I am in the New York area, willing to go anywhere for my daughter to have the best treatment/surgery. Any advice or referrals would be greatly appreciated. thanks,
elanasmommy

[yash68]

dear sir
i recently 17 days back had a superior latral orbitotomy surgery to my right eye
now i am fine with the eye . swelling is still there near the eyebrow and eyelid
my problem is that in my forehead and partof the scull above the eye i am feeling nubmness
will it go with the time ? or should i have to take treatment for it?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Dr. Illiff would be a fantastic choice for anyone needing a orbital surgery. I do not know Dr. Tse but Bascom Palmer is World famous.

to yash68 the numbness usually leaves but it can take up to 6 months to feel normal.

JCH III MD

[Giveypup]

I concur with Dr. Hagan.  

Nicholas Iliff (at the Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins Medical Center/Baltimore) would be my first choice for my family or me.  Please refer to my post above where I accompanied one of my best friends for sight-saving/life-saving surgery by Dr. Iliff.  Dr. Iliff did three successive surgeries--the last of which, a Jones tube implant, was done a week ago, with success.  You mentioned your willingness to travel anywhere for your daughter, and know that we have travelled from No. California to access Dr. Iliff's singular talents.

Good luck to you.

[AnnaE]

I wanted to make sure that you saw this recommendation:


by Giveypup


, Mar 20, 2008 01:10AM
This is a general ophthalmologist's recommendation not affiliated with MedHelp:  Nicholas Iliff, M.D. at Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore and David Tse, M.D, at Bascom Palmer are two of the BEST and most COMPASSIONATE orbital tumor specialists in the country, if not the world.  They saved the eye of a dear friend who had an exotic orbital tumor.  Experts in L.A., SF, Madison, Chicago, Iowa, Boston, Philadelphia, Texas, and Moorfield Eye Hospital in London were stumped about what to do other than exenterate her eye.  Dr. Iliff did the surgery (and was heroically aggressive about finding out the exact pathology of the tumor since that seemed to elude a half-dozen pathologists), and although she must be CT and MRI-scanned for the rest of her natural life, the belief is that this tumor was successfully excised with zero complications of strabismus.  

One more thing--both orbital tumor specialists are not aggressively surgically, at all, so they can tell you if the tumor has to be excised or whether it is merely safe to monitor.

Best of luck.  My heart goes out to you--I have three young children.

[fayelay]

My mom has a two tumors behind one eye and one tumor behind her other eye. They say its in or right by the rectna  connected please write back and tell me what could happen. I would appreciate it she is my heart and more!! Thank you.. From Glenda                           P.s. I would love to know if they are not cancer or if they are is there a chance she can keep her sight!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Read the above postings about the two world famous orbital Eye MD surgeons at John Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami.

I would suggest trying to get your mom in to see Dr. Iliff or Tse

JCH MD

[Cgail51]

My daughter in LA has 2 tumors behind her eye. One is touching the optic nerve. She is at Jewel Stein Eye Institute. May have spelled that wrong. Info is skedgie. She is Bipolar and was in car accident 3 yrs ago and had orbital fracture, but could tumors have been there all along and caused her hyper behavior? Also how difficult to treat if the tumor is touching the nerve. Her eye dr inially said there was no damage to the nerve and sent her to neurologist who ordered MRI and found the tumors. I am waiting to hear from my daughter as this is going on now. Thanks GB in Va

[Dini_]

Where can I find this Doctor Bascom Palmer can you tell me details please contact me in my email: ***@****

[tscmummu838]

Have you ever thought that these tumoours behind the eyes could mean that that person has Tuberous Sclerosis as two of my children have it. My 3yr old daughter has a tumour behind her eye these are so common for people with Tuberous Sclerosis. My 1yr old has a tumour inside her heart the tumours develop anywhere.

[PaulCL]

Dr. Hagan,

First thank you for taking time to post here.

Secondly, it was recently discoverd that I had a small mass located behind the upper part of my left eye.  It was not long ago I was hit hard by a tennis ball, almost to the point of passing out, there.  Are there non-tumor masses that can develop there from a trauma like I described?

I am going to a VA hospital right now and I want to ensure that I get all the information possible before taking any action.

I thank you in advance for any consideration.
Paul

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Cgail: It is a serious problem that requires a team approach; often an oculoplastic surgeon and a neurosurgeon. Jules Stein Institute (UCLA) is world famous. No tumor would not cause hyperactivity.
2. Dini  Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is the name for the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami.  Google it you'll have no trouble finding it.
3. mumu838  Yes there are a group of diseases called "phacomatoses" or "Neurocutaneious" disorders that are associated with multiple tumors including behind the eye. The other disease are:  Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous sclerosis, Ataxia telangiectasia, Sturge-Weber syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Incontinentia pigmenti, Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
4.Paul CL  Yes it could be related to the trauma which might can a traumatic cyst, a hematoma or organized (scarred hematoma).

JCH MD

[kudasei]

Dr Hagan,
I recently have an incidental finding of an left orbital tumor where the CT and MRI scans term it orbital haemangioma.  My vision is normal but the intraconal mass appears sizeable 1.6cmx2.1cmx1.7cm    I work overseas and local eye doc suggest surgery can be tricky and risky due to irregular shape of lesion that straddles the optic nerve.   I am going back to US to seek help and advice .... who would be good surgeon(s) I should consult for expert opinion ?

[EvieLee]

I have recently found out that my friend has a tumour behind the eye and I am curious to how they will operate, I've heard these type of tumours can be removed through the nose, is this true? or will she need surgery? and how long will it take for her to recover?

[achillea]

Most of your questions are answered in the previous posts.  You will get a lot of information just by reading back up the list.

[george912]

please help me my nephew has tumors behind his eyes. my sister is so stressed out . the doctors think cancer could be on his skin. what is a typical outlook and who is the best to handle this ? he is young and i need some help . im not sure if this is cancer because his blood count is usually good also one minute the doctors say he is ok next they think it is cancer then the story changes again. please help. ***@**** is my email please send me what you know

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

George. This is very complicated both making a proper diagnosis and performing the surgery or radiation if indicated. I trained at Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. They have an adjacent pediatric hospital if you nephew is a child.

I would ask your family MD/Peds MD to refer your nephew to Emory in Atlanta.

JCH MD