Lacrimal gland lesions in Denmark between 1974 and 2007.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence rate, distribution, patient characteristics and indications for surgical intervention of lacrimal gland lesions in Denmark between 1974 and 2007.

Material And Methods: All biopsied/surgically removed lacrimal gland lesions in Denmark during the period 1974-2007 were identified by searching two population-based registries. Specimens were collected and re-evaluated. The following data were collected: age, gender, indications for surgical intervention and local recurrence.

Results: A total of 232 lesions from 210 patients with a histologically verified lesion of the lacrimal gland were included. The incidence rate of lacrimal gland lesions was 1.3/1 000 000/year. The overall annual age- and gender-adjusted incidence rate more than doubled during the study period, owing to an increase in non-malignant lesions. Approximately half of the lesions were neoplasms (119) and 55% (66) of these were malignant. Dacryops constituted 10% (24), inflammatory lesions 27% (62), normal tissue 12% (27), benign tumours 23% (53) and malignant tumours 29% (66). Patients with malignant neoplasms were significantly older than patients with benign neoplasms (63 versus 48 years, p < 0.001). The indication for surgical intervention was suspicion of a tumour in more than 90% of the neoplastic lesions and in 30% of the non-neoplastic lesions.

Conclusion: Lacrimal gland lesions that require surgical evaluation are rare in the Danish population and represent a wide spectrum of diagnoses, mostly benign. The overall incidence rate of biopsied lacrimal gland lesions is increasing.