Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid treated with photodynamic therapy

The ocular tissues can be the site of a number of malignant tumors in adults. Approximately 5% to 10% of all skin tumors occur in the eyelid. Incidence studies indicate that basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant eyelid tumor (90%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (9%). A 55-year-old man presented a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of 8 mm diameter, localized in the middle third of the lower eyelid, 3 mm under the eyelid margin on the eyelids. The histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen showed the typical features of squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical 5-aminolevulic acid (ALA) after Frost suture was employed. Very good results were obtained with rapid healing, without invasiveness, and without anesthesia. There was no evidence of scar formation and no signs of recurrence at 6 months follow-up. Many therapeutic methods have been suggested for squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid. We consider photodynamic treatment of eyelid skin malignancies to be of great interest and it may represent an interesting future perspective for their management especially when surgical intervention cannot be tolerated by the patient.