Changing Concepts Concerning the Malignancy of Ocular Tumors

Abstract

Histopathologic studies correlated with longterm follow-up investigations have led to a change in the prognosis and management of certain ocular tumors. The relative benignancy of certain tumors of the uvea, conjunctiva, eyelid, orbit, and lacrimal gland has become widely appreciated, and efforts are being made to develop more conservative techniques in their treatment. Other tumors are being recognized as highly malignant cancers requiring early radical surgery if the patient's life is to be saved. The more enlightened management of ocular neoplasms, based on our better knowledge of their biological behavior, constitutes one of the major advances that has been made in clinical ophthalmology.