Skin Tumors
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Cancer of the eyelid, like any other cancer, can be a worrying thing. Treatments are variable and depend on the type of cancer. Below we briefly examine different kinds of eyelid tumors. Broadly classified, eyelid tumors can be of the following types:
Benign Eyelid Lesions
Benign cysts
- These include epidermoid cysts, dermoid cysts, sweat ductal cysts and epidermal inclusion cysts.
- As they are benign, they are easily treatable, though the treatment option for each varies.
Inflammatory lesions
- While technically these are not tumors, they must be borne in mind when making a diagnosis of cancer. Lesions include hordoleum (stye), chalazion and parasitic infections.
- Styes often need antibiotics and surgical drainage, chalazion benefits from simple observation and hot compresses (if required), along with gentle massage, while parasitic infections might need anti-parasitic medication.
Vascular lesions
- Hemangiomas are vascular lesions that can mimic eye tumors. They are subcategorized as capillary hemangiomas, cavernous hemangiomas, and lymphangiomas.
- They are often seen in infants and children. If found, they need fairly urgent treatment as they can have an impact on vision and lead to in blindness.
- Treatments include steroids (administered as ointment or injection), laser photocoagulation and surgical excision.
Benign epithelial lesions
- These include squamous papillomas, seborrhoeic keratosis, inverted follicular keratosis and keratoacanthoma. Squamous papillomas appear round or pedunculated and have a smooth surface.
- They can be removed surgically or in some cases interferon might be used. Interferons are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten their anti-viral defenses.
- Seborrhoeic keratosis is often monitored for a change in shape or size before any treatment is considered. Biopsies can confirm their benign nature.
Pre-malignant lesions
- A number of different eyelid lesions might become cancerous. They include actinic keratosis, leukoplakia, xeroderma pigmentosum and radiation dermatosis.
- Actinic keratosis occurs in sun-exposed areas and appears like a white, scaly lesion. Excision biopsy aids diagnosis.
Viral lesions
- Common viral lesions include molluscum contagiosum, verruca vulgaris, herpes simplex and herpes zoster.
- Molluscum contagiosum is seen in individuals with low immunity, and can cause conjunctivitis. They are treated with cryotherapy or excision. Herpes simplex and zoster are treated with antiviral agents.
Malignant eyelid lesions
- These are the cancerous lesions, and include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and sebaceous gland carcinoma.
- Basal cell carcinoma is the most common eyelid malignancy, and occurs as a small module at the inner aspect of the eye (medial canthus). They are locally invasive and require surgical excision.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is not as common, and appears red and scaly with an ulcer in the center. It is prone to distant spread so must be excised as soon as possible.
- Sebaceous carcinoma is seen in elderly population, and can spread to lymph nodes and distant organs. Radical surgery is often needed.
- Melanomas are rare and often require excision.
Other Eyelid lesions
These include xanthelasma, nevi and caruncular tumors. Most are benign and require simple treatments. Xanthalesma is associated with high cholesterol levels in the blood. Nevi need excision if they change size or shape.
When to Biopsy
There are a number of conditions which might lead to an investigative biopsy:
- Skin growth that increases in size
- Mole or birthmark with irregular border and changes in size, thickness or texture
- 6 mm large lesion which appears after age 20 and is pigmented
- Sore spot that fails to heal
