Malignant tumors of the eyelid in India: A multicenter, multizone study on clinicopathologic features and outcomes

To analyze data on eyelid malignancy in India, clinical and pathologic features, and outcomes.

A multicentre study, from oculoplastic practices in four geographic zones in India. The centers perform similar documentation and protocol-based management for eyelid tumors. Clinical features, pathology, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) class, management, and the outcomes were analyzed.

The study included 129 patients, with slight female preponderance and mean age 62.7 years. The median delay to the consultation was 9 months. Rural patients traveled a mean distance of 115.2 km; there was no difference between the city and outstation patients in the delay to consultation or follow up. Pathology included 55/129 (42.6%) sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC), 47/129 (36.4%) basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 15 (11.6%), and 12 (9.3%) other tumors. Commonest AJCC class was T2b/T3a in 80/111 (72%), invasion of the orbit was present in 16 (12.4%). Surgery with margin clearance was performed in 103. With a mean follow-up of 21.44 months, local recurrence and/or metastasis were seen in 12%. The diagnosis of SGC was strongly associated with adverse outcomes (odds ratio: 7.36). On multiple logistic regression analysis, diagnosis of SGC (P = 0.011) was significant in having adverse outcomes.

The multicenter Indian data shows the highest prevalence of SGC, with the commonest AJCC class T2b. Most tumors were locally resectable at presentation. The histopathologic diagnosis of SGC is the factor strongly associated with adverse outcomes.