Ophthalmologic oncology: sebaceous carcinomas of the eyelids

Sebaceous carcinomas are rare, and deadly, adnexal tumors with a distinct predilection for eyelid skin. A chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and/or a recurrent chalazion are the most common clinical presentations that should alert the clinician to the diagnosis. Great care and skill are needed in interpreting these lesions histopathologically as they can be easily confused with basal- and squamous-cell carcinomas.