AIM: To improve accuracy of the diagnosis of primary conjunctival masses(PCM)through analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and pathogenic causes of 422 cases of PCM.

METHODS: Clinical manifestations, histological characteristics and immunopheno types were reviewed. Relevant literatures were reviewed.

RESULTS: Benign conjunctival masses were 403 cases(95.5%). Those included masses from squamous cell papilloma(71 cases, 17.6%), conjunctival cyst(68 cases, 16.9%), inflammatory masses(62 cases, 15.4%), pigmented nevus(60 cases, 14.9%), lipoma(58 cases, 14.4%). Malignant conjunctival neoplasms were 19 cases(4.5%). Those included tumors from B Cell Lymphoma(6 cases,31.6%), melanoma(6 cases,31.6%), and squamous cell carcinoma(5 cases, 26.3%). Different types of primary conjunctival masses were induced by the same cause.

CONCLUSION:The pathological types of primary conjunctival masses are various and the majority of which is benign. For the diagnosis of primary conjunctival masses, morphological analysis, immunohistochemical examination shoud be combined to increase the diagnostic accuracy and decrease misdiagnosis rate.