[Eyelid Tumors: Clinical Aspects of Ophthalmic Pathology]

Lid tumors show a heterogenous clinical spectrum. Tumors which display some criteria of malignancy may histologically be diagnosed as inflammatory lesions without any neoplastic component. In contrast, malignant tumors can induce changes on the lid margin mimicking inflammatory changes.

Certain examples of lid tumors are shown to illustrate potential pitfalls as well as clinical unequivocal cases. The clinical appearance of the lesions is correlated with the histologic findings.

Lid tumors can develop from different structures of the eyelid and, therefore, show a wide spectrum of clinical findings. If a malignant process is suspected or the clinical diagnosis cannot be unequivocally determined, a biopsy (incisional vs. excisional) is necessary followed by histologic evaluation. Furthermore, inadequately treated benign lesions, such as an incomplete excised nevus or a molluscum contagiosum, can lead to serious problems.