Purpose: To their knowledge, the authors report the first recognized case of ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland (histologic equivalent of salivary duct carcinoma). Primary adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland is rare and has been described generically. In contrast, primary adenocarcinomas of the major and minor salivary glands are much more common and have been classified into histopathologic subtypes that have different clinical characteristics and outcomes.
Methods: A 68-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of a painless mass in the right upper outer eyelid. The authors describe the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of this case and review the lacrimal gland literature.
Results: A modified en bloc orbitectomy was performed, and postoperative radiotherapy was administered. The patient was alive and well without evidence of tumor recurrence 10 months after surgery.
Conclusion: The World Health Organization classification of salivary adenocarcinomas (1991) provides a framework for further insight into the presentation and biologic behavior of the less common lacrimal carcinomas.