Treatment of orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: Role of radiotherapy

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas constitute the most common malignancy of the orbit. Characteristics and treatment modality are not well defined due to the rarity of this tumor. Between 1988 and 1990, five patients with orbital lymphomas were treated in the authors' department. There were three females and two males ranging in age from 55 to 83 years. Three patients were stage I E, one patient was stage IV E and one was stage II E. Two patients received chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation alone was administered to three patients. Median radiation dose was 3500 cGy. Late effects of radiotherapy have not been recorded up to the present. Local control was 100% but three patients had systemic progression disease. Up to date all the patients are alive.