Popis: |
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia, or OSSN, is a clinical spectrum often encountered in ophthalmic practice. The incidence varies depending on the population being studied, but is more common among less pigmented males with increased occupational ultraviolet (UV) exposure as well as among those living in closer proximity to the equator. The incidence increases with age; in younger patients, the presence of OSSN is often associated with another underlying disorder, such as the genetic defect in xeroderma pigmentosum, or immunosuppression as is seen in patients infected with HIV. The challenges of complete surgical excision in patients with extensive tumors, in addition to the high recurrence rates in some series, led to a search for nonsurgical treatment modalities. In addition to avoiding surgery, topical agents may offer the additional benefit of treating clinically unapparent disease. Due to the theoretic advantages of topical chemotherapy, multiple agents have been used in both the primary and adjuvant treatment of OSSN. Mitomycin, interferon alpha-2b, and 5-fluorouracil have all been utilized with success; mitomycin may invoke a greater risk for limbal stem cell failure, and interferon is well tolerated and effective but more expensive. Future developments in imaging and chemotherapeutics will likely continue to alter the treatment paradigm for ocular surface tumors. |