Surgery of Eye Tumours and Adnexa
Tumours of the eye and its adnexa - the eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, and orbit - are the only diseases in ophthalmology that threaten not only vision but also the patient's life. Early diagnosis and timely surgical treatment are therefore of decisive importance.
When is it needed?
Surgical intervention is recommended when a change is discovered on any of the structures of the eye that is suspicious or confirmed as a tumour. This may be:
Eyelid tumour - most commonly basal cell or squamous cell skin carcinoma, typical in older people; but also benign tumours such as papilloma, haemangioma, or dermoid cysts that disrupt eye function
Conjunctival tumour - carcinomas and naevi showing signs of change, which must be monitored and removed in time
Lacrimal apparatus tumour - most commonly affecting the lacrimal gland or lacrimal sac
Orbital tumour - one of the most complex areas in ophthalmic oncology, requiring detailed diagnostic work-up and surgical treatment
Any new change on the eyelid or eye that grows, changes colour, or bleeds requires examination by an ophthalmologist. The sooner, the better.
How is it performed?
The basis of treatment is surgical excision - complete removal of the change, with mandatory submission of the tissue for histopathological examination. The histopathology report confirms what type of change it is and whether it has been completely removed.
Smaller changes on the eyelids and conjunctiva are removed on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthesia. More complex changes and orbital tumours require more detailed surgical treatment. Depending on the type and stage of the tumour, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, or local cytostatic therapy may also be applied alongside surgery.
What to expect?
After procedures on the eyelids or conjunctiva, recovery is usually rapid with minimal discomfort. The final treatment outcome depends on the histopathology report and any need for supplementary treatment. Regular follow-ups are essential to monitor healing and promptly detect any recurrence.
Surgeries of tye tumours and adnexa at Milmedic Clinic are performed by an experienced team led by Prof. Dr Dejan Rašić.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see an oncologist, or can treatment be completed at Milmedic Clinic?
For most eyelid and conjunctival tumours, complete treatment - surgical excision and histopathological analysis - is carried out at Milmedic Clinic. In cases where the histopathology report indicates the need for supplementary treatment such as radiotherapy or cytostatic therapy, we refer the patient to the appropriate specialist and coordinate further care.
Can the tumour return after surgery?
For tumours that have been completely removed with negative margins, recurrence is rare. Regular follow-ups are essential precisely for the timely detection of any recurrence - which significantly improves treatment outcomes.
When will I receive the histopathology results?
The histopathology report is usually available within 7 to 14 days of the procedure. Based on it, the doctor assesses whether the change has been completely removed and whether additional treatment is needed.
Every change on the eye deserves expert attention.
The sooner it is detected, the easier it is to treat - schedule an examination and be sure.