Eyelid cancer is a punch in of tumor that most commonly involves the skin or glands of the eyelid.
In its early stages, there may not be any symptoms at all.
The most common eyelid tumor types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Nusha Ashjaee
This article covers the different types of eyelid cancer, as well as how its diagnosed and treated.
It can be red, brown, or black.
Cancerous lesions are firm to the touch and get larger over time.
Theyre usually asymmetrical in shape and will sometimes bleed or ulcerate.
People in the early stages of eyelid cancer may have no symptoms at all.
Some symptoms of eyelid cancer are similar to those that occur in other medical conditions that are not cancer.
Sebaceous Carcinoma
Sebaceous carcinoma mostly occurs in middle-aged to older adults.
A large sebaceous carcinoma, or one that returns after treatment, may require surgical removal of the eye.
Eyelid Cancer or a Stye?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cells make up most of the top layer of the epidermis.
Approximately 5% of skin cancers begin in this layer.
Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious of the three skin cancer types.
How Rare Is Eyelid Cancer?
Eyelid cancer is not rare.
Between 5% and 10% of all skin cancers appear on the eyelid.
About 85% to 95% of eyelid cancers in non-Asian countries are basal cell skin cancers.
Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed most often in adults and rarely occurs in children.
It almost never spreads to other parts of the body.
Other types of eyelid cancer are much less common.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
This is a rare but aggressive cancer that starts in the eyelids touch receptors.
It shows up as a fast-growing, purplish, or flesh-colored mass.
The role of UVA radiation in the development of non-melanoma eyelid cancer is suspected, but not certain.
People who live in areas with year-round, bright sunlight have a higher risk of developing eyelid cancer.
So do people who spend significant time outside or on a tanning bed, which produces mostly UVA radiation.
A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.
Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis.
If your healthcare provider suspects that cancer has spread beyond the eyelid, then imaging tests may be conducted.
They may include the following.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of internal organs.
It is typically performed by an ophthalmologist.
Types of surgery include biopsy, Mohs surgery,cryosurgery, and reconstructive surgery.
If treated early, the success of eyelid cancer surgery is very high.
A biopsy can often be used as a diagnostic tool as well as a treatment.
A surgical biopsy may remove part of the tumor (incisional) or the entire tumor (excisional).
Each small fragment is examined under a microscope until all cancer is removed.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy or cryoablation, uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cells.
The skin will later blister and shed off.
This procedure will sometimes leave a pale scar, and patients may need more than one cryotherapy procedure.
Reconstructive Surgery
Many people with eyelid cancer require reconstructive surgery.
Oftentimes, multiple surgeries are done, spread out over a period of time.
That can make it hard to predict exactly how you will feel during treatment.
This can cause the eye to become dry or tear.
Fortunately, this can be treated with medication.
In addition, recurrence of cancer can happen if the tumor is not completely removed.
Many eyelid tumors spread to the adjacent tissue, making it tricky to completely remove them.
This is why wise to receive treatment from a healthcare provider who is experienced in eyelid cancer treatment.
Side effects that last beyond the treatment period are called long-term side effects.
They include the use of medications, in lotion or pill form, designed to kill cancer cells.
Two drugs that are currently available for extensive eyelid cancers are showing promisevismodegib and sonidegib.
They are both used to treat basal cell carcinoma.
Summary
Eyelid cancer is a jot down of skin cancer that appears on the eyelid.
The most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanomas and Merkel cell carcinomas are much less common.
Eyelid cancer can appear as a shiny or pearly bump that is firm to the touch.
It may be red, brown, or black and gets larger over time.
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