Oculoplastic aspects of ocular oncology

It is estimated that 5-10% of all cutaneous malignancies involve the periocular region and management of periocular skin cancers account for a significant proportion of the oculoplastic surgeon's workload. Epithelial tumours are most frequently encountered, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and sebaceous gland carcinoma, in decreasing order of frequency. Non-epithelial tumours, such as cutaneous melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, rarely involve the ocular adnexae. Although non-surgical treatments for periocular malignancies are gaining in popularity, surgery remains the main treatment modality and has as its main aims tumour clearance, restoration of the eyelid function, protection of the ocular surface, and achieving a good cosmetic outcome. The purpose of this article is to review the management of malignant periocular tumours, with particular emphasis on surgical management.