[Surgical treatment of malignant eyelid tumors]

Eyelid tumors constitute 5 to 10% of all skin malignancies. They mostly affect the elderly, chronically exposed to sunlight. The primary treatment is radical surgical excision of the tumor. The aim of this study was the clinical and microscopical analysis of malignant eyelid tumors in treated patients, the presentation of selected reconstructive methods and the evaluation of long-term results of surgical treatment of eyelid tumors.

The study involved 92 patients treated in 2000-2007 for malignant tumors of the eyelids. All patients underwent surgical excision of the tumor with concurrent eyelid reconstruction. The choice of reconstructive method depended on the size and location of the tumor. Histopathological evaluation was carried out specifying the type of cancer and radical surgery. The long-term results were rated on the basis of medical records and patients' examinations.

Tumors were located mostly within the lower eyelid 67 (70.5%) and the medial canthus 17 (17.9%). Basal cell carcinoma was found in 83 (87.3%) cases, while in 12 (12.7%) diagnosed with other, less common cancers. Histopathological verification of tumor margins revealed incomplete excision in 14 specimens (14.7%). Reoperations due to recurrent tumor was performed in 11 (15.6%) cases. Good long-term results of functionally-aesthetic reconstruction of the eyelids was observed in 84 (91.3%) patients.

1. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the oculopalpebral region and originate mainly in the lower eyelid. 2. Significantly higher risk of recurrence exists in a more aggressive form of BCC (infiltrative basal-cell carcinoma) and tumors located in medial canthus. 3. The knowledge of multiple reconstruction methods allows the surgeon to choose the most appropriate one, depending on the size and location of the defect formed after excision of the tumor.