Primary periocular squamous cell carcinoma in central Spain: Factors related to recurrence

To describe the characteristics and recurrence rates of primary periocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Spain.

This retrospective study investigates the characteristics of primary periocular SCC at two tertiary centers in Spain from 2000 to 2020. Data were collected on demographics, skin phenotype, location, clinical and histological diagnosis, the commitment of surgical margins, recurrence, and risk factors. Multivariate analysis and risk factors were used to investigate recurrence rates, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Over the 20-year studied period, 107 patients with primary periocular SCC were assessed. The mean age of SCC was 76.8 ± 12.8 years, 55 (50.9%) were females, and 105 (98.1%) had Fitzpatrick skin phenotype type II or III. SCC lesions affected less than 1/3 of the eyelid (56/52.3% cases), mainly the lower lid (42/39.3% lesions). Sixty (56.1%) cases were SCC differentiated, 76 (71%) had clear margins. Clinical diagnosis of SCC corroborated with histological in 84 (78.5%) cases and orbital involvement occurred in 18 (16.8%) cases. Recurrence was observed in 13 (12.1%) cases, occurring more in large tumors and undifferentiated subtype (53.8%), with committed margins (69.2%) (p = 0.001), being the commitment of margins a significant predictor for recurrence, although thickness was an independent predictor.

Periocular SCC in Spain showed a similar pattern as in the world. The risk of recurrence is increased in undifferentiated and large periocular SCC, partially removed with committed margins.