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Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:98-103 doi:10.1136/bjo.83.1.98
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Intraepithelial and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva: analysis of 60 cases

  1. Murat Tunca,
  2. Devron H Charb,
  3. Brooks Crawfordc,
  4. Theodore Millerd
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, USA, bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Radiation Oncology, the Francis I Proctor Foundation, University of California, and the Tumori Foundation, San Francisco, USA, cEye Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA, dPathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
  1. Devron H Char, MD, Tumori Foundation, Suite 309, CPMC-Davies, 45 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA.
  • Accepted 18 August 1998

Abstract

AIM To evaluate the clinical features, treatment results, and recurrence rates in patients with either intraepithelial or invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

METHODS Retrospective analysis of 60 cases (22 conjunctival intraepithelial and 38 invasive squamous cell carcinomas) to determine patterns of clinical presentation, aetiological factors, and treatment results. The mean patient age was 64 years old. 70% of the patients were male. Patients were treated with a variety of therapies, depending on the degree of tumour involvement; most cases were treated with frozen section controlled excision and adjunctive cryotherapy. Modified eye wall resection or enucleation was done for intraocular invasion and exenteration was done for orbital involvement.

RESULTS Red eye (68%) and ocular irritation (57%) were the most common presenting symptoms. 44% of the patients had other eye findings consistent with extensive solar exposure. 20% of the patients had a history of malignant skin tumours. Visceral malignancies developed in 8%. Scleral involvement was present in 14 (37%), intraocular involvement in five (13%), and orbital invasion in four (11%) cases with invasive squamous cell carcinoma. After a mean follow up of 56 months (18–226 months) the rate of new or recurrent tumours was 4.5% for intraepithelial squamous carcinoma and 5.3% for invasive squamous cell carcinoma. No patient developed metastases or tumour related deaths.

CONCLUSION Excision with intraoperative control of the surgical margins and adjunctive cryotherapy results in good tumour control rates.

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