Lymphoma and other lymphoid lesions of the orbit (II).

The incidence, survival rate and causes of death of patients with orbital lymphomas and other lymphoid lesions of the orbit in Denmark, during the period 1943-62 inclusive, were studied by means of a clinico-pathological analysis. In the period examined, the incidence of histologically verified primary orbital tumours was 0.06%. The incidence of primary orbital lymphomas and lymphoid lesions was at least 0.012%. These can be histologically divided into 3 categories: benign, indeterminate (intermediary) and malignant. The present study confirms the relevance of this classification, as there is a definite relationship between the histological diagnosis and the clinical survival rate. For the patients in question, the chances of dying of a universal malignant disease were approximately 10(3) times greater than in the normal Danish population.