Clinical-pathological characteristics of patients treated for cancers of the eyelid skin and periocular areas

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Malignant cancers of the eyelid skin and the periocular area comprise 5-10% of facial skin malignant cancers. Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) dominate, comprising approx. 80-90% of cancers of this area of the face. Considerably less often, in 9-14% of cases, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are observed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to provide an epidemiological-clinical assessment of patients treated over the period 2006-2015 for primary malignant cancers of the eyelid skin considering histological diagnosis and clinical staging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on an analysis of the medical records of 262 patients. Demographic data, age, sex, size and location of lesions, histological types, and clinical staging were assessed. RESULTS: In the analyzed group of 262 patients, most were over the age of 60 years. Primary cancers were most frequently located in the area of the medial canthus of the eye and in the lower eyelid skin. They were mainly lesions of 6-10 mm and 16-20 mm with histologically diagnosed basal cell carcinoma of nodular and cystic types. CONCLUSIONS: The most represented group was that of patients aged 60-70 years with primary cancers located in the medial canthus of the eye (47.3%) and in the lower eyelid. Basal cell carcinoma was diagnosed, mainly nodular and cystic types.