Primary Malignant Tumors of the Eyelids

Pur po se: To evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of primary malignant tumors of the eyelids as well as the results of the surgical procedures performed. Ma te ri al and Met hod: Fifty-one patients, who had lesions proven to be malignant by histopathological examination, were retrospectively evaluated for age, localization, clinical and histopathological diagnosis, surgical technique, perioperative and postoperative complications. Re sults: Of 51 patients, twenty three (45%) were male and 28 (55%) were female with a mean age of 62.5 (range: 35-80) years. The histopathological results of the excisional biopsy materials revealed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in 38 (74.5%), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 10 (19.6%), malignant melanoma (MM) in 1 (1.96%), sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) in 1 (1.96%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in 1 (1.96%) patient. In 76.5% (n=39) of the eyelid malignancies, histopathological examination results were in concordance with the clinical diagnosis. In 9 (17.6%) cases, residual tumour cells were detected. The recurrence rate in all cases was 3.92%, while it was 2.63% for BCC and 10% for SCC. Dis cus si on: BCC and SCC were the most common tumors in the eyelids. Surgical excision and histopathological evaluation are the best diagnostic and treatment procedure if a proper selection of the patients is done. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 412-7)