Overview
Orbital lymphoma is a rare cancer that develops in or around the eye socket (the orbit), which is the bony cavity that holds the eye. It belongs to a group of cancers called lymphomas, which start in cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. The most common type found in this area is called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, though other types such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma can also occur here. The disease can affect one or both eyes and may involve the eyelid, the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white of the eye), the tear gland (lacrimal gland), or the fatty tissue behind the eyeball. People with orbital lymphoma often notice a painless swelling or lump around the eye, a feeling of pressure, or a visible pinkish-salmon colored patch on the white of the eye. Vision changes, double vision, or the eye appearing to bulge forward (called proptosis) are also common signs. Because symptoms can be subtle and develop slowly, the diagnosis is sometimes delayed. Treatment depends on the type and stage of lymphoma. Low-grade types like MALT lymphoma are often treated with radiation therapy, which is very effective. Higher-grade or more widespread disease may require chemotherapy, immunotherapy with drugs like rituximab, or a combination of these. In some cases, especially when linked to a bacterial infection called Chlamydia psittaci, antibiotic treatment has shown benefit. Overall, many patients do well with treatment, especially when the disease is caught early and remains localized to the eye area.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painless swelling or lump around the eyeSalmon-pink or reddish patch visible on the white of the eye or inner eyelidEye bulging forward (proptosis)Double visionBlurred or reduced visionDrooping of the eyelid (ptosis)Feeling of pressure or fullness around the eyeRedness or irritation of the eyeRestricted eye movementSwelling of the eyelid
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsJonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center — PHASE2
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Aron Research Foundation Ets
Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences — PHASE1, PHASE2
Hunan Cancer Hospital — PHASE2
Taiho Oncology, Inc. — PHASE3
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
German Cancer Research Center
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Rare neoplastic disease.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Rare neoplastic disease.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Rare neoplastic disease
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Performance Indicators and Impact on the Care Pathway of Sequencing on the SeqOIA and AURAGEN (Seqogen) Platforms for Oncology Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: A Retrospective Study: Evaluation of the Efficacy of Immunotherapy With Rare Mutations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: NTRK Gene Fusion - Positive Advanced or Recurrent Solid Tumors, a Rare Cancer Caused by Specific Changes in the Genes
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: Synovial Sarcoma Registry / Biospecimen Repository
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: Survival Outcome of EGFR-TKI in Uncommon EGFR Mutant Advanced NSCLC
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: Evaluation of Rare and Complex Tumours of the Thoraco-Abdominal and Soft Tissue District
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sutetinib Maleate Capsule in Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: SPECTA: Screening Cancer Patients for Efficient Clinical Trial Access
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: Neoadjuvant Umbrella Trial for Patients With Unresectable Stage III NSCLC Harboring Rare Mutations.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
New recruiting trial: Registry Study on Rare Cancers in Korea
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Rare neoplastic disease
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What exact type of orbital lymphoma do I have, and how does that affect my treatment options?,Has the lymphoma spread beyond my eye area, and what tests are needed to find out?,Is radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination the best approach for my case?,What are the risks to my vision from the tumor itself and from the treatment?,Should I be tested for Chlamydia psittaci infection, and could antibiotics be part of my treatment?,How often will I need follow-up appointments, and what signs of relapse should I watch for?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider for my type of orbital lymphoma?
Common questions about Rare neoplastic disease
What is Rare neoplastic disease?
Orbital lymphoma is a rare cancer that develops in or around the eye socket (the orbit), which is the bony cavity that holds the eye. It belongs to a group of cancers called lymphomas, which start in cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. The most common type found in this area is called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, though other types such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma can also occur here. The disease can affect one or both eyes and may involve the eyelid, the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white of the eye), the tear gland (
How is Rare neoplastic disease inherited?
Rare neoplastic disease follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Rare neoplastic disease typically begin?
Typical onset of Rare neoplastic disease is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Rare neoplastic disease?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Rare neoplastic disease on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Rare neoplastic disease?
25 specialists and care centers treating Rare neoplastic disease are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.