Surgical treatment of eyelid tumors

Eyelid tumors constitute about 40% of all cancers located in the orbital region. Most commonly, they are basal cell carcinomas, in 90% of cases located in the lower eyelid and medial canthus. The purpose of our study was to present the management and to overview the results of surgical treatment of eyelid tumors.

One hundred ninety-three patients, 89 men and 104 women, aged 16 to 87 years (mean, 63.5 years) with eyelid tumors were treated in Plastic Surgery Hospital in Polanica-Zdrój in the years 1985 to 2008. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 148) was composed of patients operated on primarily in our hospital, and group 2 (n = 45) was composed of patients operated on in other hospitals, admitted for recurrence. All the patients underwent surgery involving resection of the tumor and simultaneous eyelid reconstruction. The preparations were evaluated histopathologically. Various surgical modalities were used, depending on the extent and location of the tumor.

Recurrence developed in 13 patients in group 1 (8.7%; 5 women and 8 men) and in 9 patients in group 2 (20%; 5 women and 4 men).

Tumors, usually basal cell carcinoma, originate mainly in the lower eyelid and medial canthus. Surgery should be performed as soon as possible after onset of the primary tumors and should include resection and reconstructive therapy. The highest risk of recurrence is in case of squamous cell and basospinocellular tumors, and especially in melanoma. The aim of reconstructive therapy is to reconstruct aesthetically and functionally effective eyelid.