Epstein-Barr positive T-cell lymphoma in the ocular region

PURPOSE. To present two cases of rapidly growing tumors in the ocular adnexa. Both tumors were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma. METHODS. Case 1 was a 60-year-old man with a non-tender ulcerating tumor involving the lateral third of both upper and lower right eyelid. Case 2 was a 55-year-old man with a swelling of the left eyelid expanding cranially and dislocating the left eye, resulting in proptosis and diplopia. Both patients underwent incisional biopsy that did not disclose the malignant nature of the tumors. Clinical evaluation resulted in suspicion of malignancy and surgical excision was performed. RESULTS. The tumors were found to be consistent with EBV-positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is uncommon but a diagnosis to be considered in a patient with a tumorous lesion in the eye region. Furthermore, peripheral T-cell lymphoma may be EBV-positive.