Orbital Tumor Removal

There are no major contraindications for orbital tumor removal. Particular patients may not be suitable for some eye surgery methods. However, it is not indicated that they will be unsuitable for all eye tumor removal methods.

For doctors to prepare you appropriately, they should be informed about your medical histories, such as your conditions and medications. Besides, you should fast for the day of your surgery.

Orbital tumor removal may be seen in various forms. It depends on the kind, place, and general characteristics (harmless eye tumor or eye cancer.) In regards to small harmless eye tumors, removal of the tumor with surrounding tissue may be enough to leave the eye mostly untouched. On the other hand, if an eye tumor becomes eye cancer, the extent of orbital tumor removal will be increased by it and covers the entire eye.To radical forms of radical eye tumor removal belong: 

• Evisceration – removal of the contents of the eyeball without resecting the eyeball itself

• Enucleation – removing an eyeball to fight the eye cancer
• Exenteration – removing not just the eyeball but also the orbital socket to fight with eye cancer which has already spread outside of one’s eyeball

The recovery period of orbital tumor removal changes depending on the kind of the surgery and potential difficulties it may bring. While some patients can leave after short monitoring, others may need an around 7-day stay. Some also may need a rehabilitation process.

While carrying heavyweights after the eye surgery is discouraged, attending the appointments at the doctor’s office regularly is advised.

Getting an artificial eye and/or a plastic surgery may be the final step of recovery from orbital tumor removal. This will interest especially patients of evisceration, enucleation, and exenteration.

The potential risks that may come from orbital tumor removal surgeries include;
• Infection 
• Accidental spreading of tumor cells to other parts of one’s eye 
• Bleeding 
• Problems with sight

The major effect will be eye removal and consequently, learning to live with just one eye if more radical orbital tumor removal surgeries are performed. Using artificial eyeball for aesthetic motives are considered for several patients after evisceration, enucleation, or exenteration procedures.

What Is an Orbital Tumor?  The orbital tumor is a tumor which grows within one's orbital socket. While usually orbital tumors are benign eye tumors, sometimes they may take the form of eye cancer. 

Is Orbital Tumor Removal Possible Without Eye Removal?  Yes, small orbital tumors may be removed without seriously affecting the eye. However, bigger tumors and eye cancers may require evisceration, enucleation, or exenteration eye surgeries, which are connected with eye removal. 

What Are Eye Tumor Symptoms Easy to Spot? 
The most apparent symptom of eye tumor belongs to exophthalmos or eye bulging. If exophthalmos seen in only one eye, there is a possibility that it is a sign of an orbital tumor.

Up to 6 weeks

Up to 6 weeks

This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in August, 2019.