Malignant tumor of the eyelid--clinical survey during 22-year period

A total of 52 malignant tumors of the eyelid treated at Kyushu University Hospital during the 22-year period from 1960 through 1981 were analyzed. The peak incidence in this series was in patients 70-79 years of age. There were 26 each of men and women. Squamous cell carcinoma was the lesion most frequently seen, i.e. in 25 cases (48.1%). Basal cell carcinomas were detected in 17, sebaceous adenocarcinomas in 7 malignant melanomas in 2 and malignant lymphoma in 1. In 13 cases, there were squamous cell carcinomas in the upper eyelid, 10 with basal cell carcinomas in the lower eyelid, and all with sebaceous adenocarcinomas in the upper eyelid. Follow-up information was obtained on 42 of the 52 cases. Twenty-four out of these 42 patients were living and 18 had died. There were two recurrences of squamous cell carcinomas and two of basal cell carcinomas. In two, there was a metastasis to the lung and in one the regional lymph nodes were involved. Thus, squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequently encountered malignant tumor of the eyelid seen in this series. We wish to stress the importance of examining specimens histologically, to ensure a rapid diagnosis and pertinent treatment.