Clinical and Histopathologic Analysis of 148 Cases of Eyelid Skin Tumors Diagnosed a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

Kim, Hansaem; Min, Joon Hong; Choi, Young Jun; Nam, Jae Hui; Lee, Ga Young; Kim, Won Serk

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Eyelid tumors are common neoplasms encountered in daily dermatology practices and encompass a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors, since the eyelid has many tissue types. These tumors sometimes mimic common inflammatory conditions. Nonetheless, clinical investigation of these conditions remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of eyelid skin tumors.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and clinical photographs of 148 patients with eyelid skin tumors confirmed by skin biopsy examination between January 2009 and May 2016.
RESULTS
The mean patient age was 50.0 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.11. Malignant eyelid skin tumors accounted for 17.3% of the total number, and older patients were more likely to be affected by malignant tumors than benign tumors (66.2 years vs. 46.4 years). Epidermal cysts (15.5%), seborrheic keratosis (14.9%), and melanocytic nevus (14.2%) were the most common benign eyelid skin tumors. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor (69.2%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (11.5%). Malignant skin tumors, especially basal cell carcinoma, predominantly involved the lower eyelid. No patient showed metastasis from the malignant skin tumors, and no case of recurrence was observed after wide excision of the tumors.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that various tumors, including malignant ones, can affect the eyelid area. This study provides useful data on the incidence and characteristics of eyelid skin tumors. Further investigation with a large group of patients is necessary to better understand the epidemiology of eyelid skin tumors.