What is Eyelid Cancer

Executive Summary

Eyelid cancer is a general term for cancer that occurs in or on the eyelid. The eyelid cancers are the skin cancers as eyelids contain the thinnest and most sensitive skin on our body, which means they’re easily affected by sun exposure. It is broadly categorized as an epithelial tumor on the outer surface. An eyelid tumor can start from sebaceous (fat), sweat, or apocrine glands, a type of sweat gland. The most common types of cancer on the eyelid include basal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma appears in the lower lid and often occurs in fair or pale skin individuals. Sebaceous carcinoma starts from meibomian glands, which are glands of the eyelids that discharge a fatty secretion that lubricates the eyelids. Squamous cell carcinoma is much less common than basal cell carcinoma, but it behaves more aggressively and quickly spreads to nearby tissues. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious of the three skin cancer types.

What is Eyelid Cancer?

Cancer starts when healthy cells undergo modification and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor mass. A tumor can either be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, which means it can grow and spread to other distant parts of the body. A benign tumor remains confined to its original location.

Most cases of eyelid cancer are skin cancers. The eyelids contain the thinnest and most sensitive skin on our body, which means they’re easily affected by sun exposure ^​1​.

Eyelid cancer is a general term for cancer that occurs in or on the eyelid. It is broadly categorized as an epithelial tumor on the outer surface. An eyelid tumor can start from sebaceous (fat), sweat, or apocrine glands, a type of sweat gland ^​2​.

The most common types of cancer that occur on the eyelid are ^​3​–

• Basal cell carcinoma – Under the squamous cells (flat, scale-like cells) in the lower epidermis are round cells known as basal cells. About 80% of skin cancers arise from this layer in the skin, and they are directly related to exposure to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of eyelid cancer. It usually appears in the lower lid and often occurs in individuals with fair or pale skin.
• Sebaceous carcinoma. Sebaceous carcinoma is the second most common eyelid cancer in middle-aged to older adults. It may start from meibomian glands, which are glands of the eyelids that discharge a fatty secretion that lubricates the eyelids. Less frequently, it begins from glands of Zeis, the sebaceous glands at the base of the eyelashes. Sebaceous carcinoma is aggressive cancer that usually occurs on the upper eyelid and is associated with radiation exposure, Bowen’s disease, and Muir-Torre syndrome. A large sebaceous carcinoma that returns after treatment may require surgical removal of the eye.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – Squamous cells make up most of the top layer of the epidermis. Approximately 10% to 30% of skin cancers begin in this layer. These skin cancers usually arise from sun exposure. They may also appear on skin burned, damaged by chemicals, or exposed to x-rays. Squamous cell carcinoma is much less common than basal cell carcinoma, but it behaves more aggressively and quickly spreads to nearby tissues.

Melanoma – The deepest layer of the epidermis contains scattered cells called melanocytes, which produce the melanin that gives skin colour. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious of the three skin cancer types.

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