Trends in Malignant Lacrimal Gland Tumors And Lacrimal Sac Tumors

Abstract Background Malignant tumors of the lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac are rare entities, and their incidence has been decreasing. In this study, the incidence trend was examined in relation to patient demographics of these rare tumors. Methods In patient data obtained from the NCI Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3) codes for lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac tumors (C69.5) were used to identify patients with the aforementioned malignancies. Demographic data, tumor size, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed. Tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) staging subgroup analysis was conducted for patients who had received AJCC 6th edition staging at diagnosis. The trend of the incidence rate was calculated per 100,000 person-years by using the joinpoint analysis and age adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (single ages-census P25-1130). All tests of statistical significance were two-tailed, and p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The trend of lacrimal gland malignancies has decreased significantly over the years in the white patients. Among the female patients, the incidence rate was significantly lower in female white patients than in the female nonwhite patients. The 5-year survival rate was relatively higher in the patients with lacrimal gland malignancies smaller than 2.5 cm (p-value= .007). The female patients with low socioeconomic status had significantly higher incidence rates (p-value= .041) of lacrimal sac malignancies than did those with high socioeconomic status. Conclusions Lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac malignancies have been decreasing overall in recent years in the USA. The trend of lacrimal gland malignancies has decreased significantly over the years in the white patients. Incidence rate vary in gender, race, and socioeconomic status in lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac malignancies. Analysis of lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac malignancy trends improved our knowledge of predisposed populations as well as diagnoses.