Eyelid Tumours

What are eyelid skin tumours?

There are many types of benign and malignant eyelid skin tumours. The most common types of malignant eyelid skin tumours in Australians are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but other rarer types include sebaceous gland carcinoma and melanoma. These cancers can all grow and invade surrounding tissues, which can be very damaging to the eye and eye socket. Very occasionally, some of them can also spread around the body (metastasise) which can be fatal.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) hardly ever spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) may spread if they are left too long before treatment. Sebaceous gland carcinomas and melanomas have an even higher chance of spreading if they are not treated when they are small.

DISCLAIMER: All before and after photography offer examples only, and do not constitute an implied result or any other kind of certainty for the result of surgery or a non-surgical procedure. All surgical and non-surgical outcomes are subject to the individual results for the patient and the normal variability of clinical procedure results.

How are eyelid skin tumours removed?

Malignant eyelid skin tumours are normally treated by surgical excision by an oculoplastic surgeon, although other treatments such as radiotherapy may also be used in addition to or instead of surgery. The whole tumour and a surrounding ring of healthy tissue (a margin) should be excised. The excised sample is sent to the pathology laboratory to be examined to confirm exactly what type of tumour it is and if the entire tumour has been removed.

What are the risks of surgery for eyelid skin tumours?

As with any surgical procedure, surgery for eyelid skin tumours has inherent risks and potential complications. It is crucial for any individual considering this surgery to be fully aware of them.

• Common Temporary Side Effects: These include swelling, bruising and dry eyes. These usually resolve within two to three weeks.

• Potential Complications:

• Scarring: While final scaring is usually minimal, scarring can be initially visible or raised.

• Infection and Bleeding: There is a small risk of post-operative infection.

• Weakened eyelid closure: This is an uncommon condition that is usually temporary but sometimes permanent, requiring additional treatment.

• Eye Injury: Extremely rare but serious risks include injury to the eye muscles and the globe.

• Unsatisfactory Aesthetic Result: The outcome may not meet the patient's expectations.

• Need for Revision Surgery: In some cases, a secondary procedure may be necessary to achieve the desired result or to address complications.

At your clinic visit, Dr. Chen will discuss the procedure, its potential benefits and risks and expected recovery process with you. To ensure that you are well-prepared for surgery, Dr. Chen may sometimes ask that you have more than one clinic visit prior to the day of surgery.