The risk to the orbit in head and neck cancer

Cancers in the head and neck are recognized as placing their environs at risk. The orbit is threatened by a variety of cancers originating in adjacent structures because of its anatomic relationship to skin, sinuses, nasal cavity, skull, palate, and salivary glands. The poignancy of this is highlighted by the fact that the orbit contains the organ of sight and also has high aesthetic value. An evaluation of the pathologic physiology of the various neoplasms affecting the orbit, their management, the methods of reconstruction, and the criteria for radical and conservation techniques will be discussed.