A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lacrimal gland

A 66-year-old male presented with diplopia and proptosis of his right eye since 3 months before. He had a history of cerebral infarction 11 years before and surgery for gastric carcinoma 3 years before. A space-occupying lesion had been detected in the right orbit 11 years before. Diagnostic imaging showed a well-defined tumor attached extensively to the superior temporal orbital wall. Computed tomography showed suspected bone infiltration and compression to the eyeball. Orbital exenteration was performed after progression of diplopia and proptosis. Histological studies showed the tumor to be a poorly differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma probably originating from the lacrimal gland. Additional chemotherapy and radiation were performed because of the presence of tumor cells in the margin of excised specimen. There has been no recurrence during 6 months after surgery. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is characterized by slow progression with occasional poor prognosis when poorly differentiated, necessitating a long-term follow up.