Table 1
Clinical features of malignant eyelid tumours
| Tumour | Characteristics | Treatment | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basal cell 90% | Nodular/morpheaform, ulcerates/bleeds, slow growth | Excision biopsy, Mohs’ excision (2–3 mm margin), radiotherapy, cryotherapy | Local extension, neglected tumours may spread to sinuses and brain |
| Squamous cell <10% | Ulcerates/bleeds/horn, vascular/velvety surface, rapid growth | Mohs’ excision for best cure (3-4 mm margin), relatively radioresistant | Local extension to orbit and sinuses |
| Sebaceous cell 1% | Firm nodular or pagetoid mass, inflamed eyelid, slow growth | Wide excision (6 mm margin), exenteration if eye involved | Local and distant to lymph nodes, lung and liver |
| Malignant melanoma <1% | Lentigo maligna or nodular melanoma, bleeds, medium growth | Wide excision (6 mm margin), prognosis depends on depth of lesion, may have skip lesions | Distant spread to lymph nodes, lung, liver, brain |
