Tumors of the cornea and conjunctiva

This article reviews the literature published in 1996 regarding conjunctival and corneal tumors. There is an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in patients with HIV infection, especially in young individuals and Africans. Presumed causative factors for conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma include ultraviolet light, HIV infection, human papillomavirus and other unknown factors. Metastatic tumors to the conjunctiva appear at an advanced stage of the disease, and metastases to the conjunctiva are a poor prognostic sign for survival. Reviews of premalignant lesions of the conjunctiva, including diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence, are discussed. Spindle cell and mucoepidermoid variants of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva have a worse prognosis for intraocular extension compared with usual conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.