Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsTypesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Signs
Types
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Eyelid cancer is a type of tumor that most commonly involves the skin or glands of the eyelid. It can cause a change in the appearance of the eyelid, such as a lump on the eyelid or thickening of the skin. In its early stages, there may not be any symptoms at all.
The most common eyelid tumor types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Other, less common eyelid tumor types are sebaceous carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma.Eyelid cancer is usually treated with surgery.
This article covers the different types of eyelid cancer, as well as how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Nusha Ashjaee
Signs of Eyelid Cancer
Eyelid cancer often appears as a lump that may look smooth, shiny, or pearly. It can be red, brown, or black. Cancerous lesions are firm to the touch and get larger over time. They’re usually asymmetrical in shape and will sometimes bleed or ulcerate.
People in the early stages of eyelid cancer may have no symptoms at all.
Some symptoms of eyelid cancer are similar to those that occur in other medical conditions that are not cancer. However, the symptoms listed below should not be ignored and include:
Types of Eyelid Cancer
The most common type of cancer occurring on the eyelid is basal cell carcinoma. Sebaceous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are some other types of cancer that may appear on the eyelid.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Under the squamous cells (flat, scale-like cells) in the lower epidermis are round cells known as basal cells. More than 90% of eyelid cancers arise from this layer of the skin, and they are directly related to exposure to the sun.
Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of eyelid cancer, usually appears in the lower lid and occurs most often in individuals with fair or pale skin.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Overview and More
Sebaceous Carcinoma
Sebaceous carcinoma mostly occurs in middle-aged to older adults. It may start frommeibomian glands, which are glands of the eyelids that discharge a fatty secretion that lubricates the eyelids.Less frequently, it starts from theglands of Zeis, thesebaceous glandsat the base of the eyelashes.
Sebaceous carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that normally occurs on the upper eyelid and is associated with radiation exposure, Bowen’s disease, andMuir-Torresyndrome. A large sebaceous carcinoma, or one that returns after treatment, may require surgical removal of the eye.
Eyelid Cancer or a Stye?Sebaceous carcinomas are one of the rarest eye cancers and can look like achalazion(stye)orconjunctivitis (pink eye). Any conjunctivitis or chalazion that is not getting better after three months should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.
Eyelid Cancer or a Stye?
Sebaceous carcinomas are one of the rarest eye cancers and can look like achalazion(stye)orconjunctivitis (pink eye). Any conjunctivitis or chalazion that is not getting better after three months should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Overview and More
Melanoma
The deepest layer of the epidermis contains scattered cells called melanocytes, which produce the melanin that gives skin its color. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious of the three skin cancer types.
How Rare Is Eyelid Cancer?Eyelid cancer is not rare. Between 5% and 10% of all skin cancers appear on the eyelid.About 85% to 95% of eyelid cancers in non-Asian countries are basal cell skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed most often in adults and rarely occurs in children. It almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Other types of eyelid cancer are much less common. Squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma make up 5% and less than 1% of all eyelid cancer, respectively.
How Rare Is Eyelid Cancer?
Eyelid cancer is not rare. Between 5% and 10% of all skin cancers appear on the eyelid.About 85% to 95% of eyelid cancers in non-Asian countries are basal cell skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed most often in adults and rarely occurs in children. It almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Other types of eyelid cancer are much less common. Squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma make up 5% and less than 1% of all eyelid cancer, respectively.
Eyelid cancer is not rare. Between 5% and 10% of all skin cancers appear on the eyelid.
About 85% to 95% of eyelid cancers in non-Asian countries are basal cell skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed most often in adults and rarely occurs in children. It almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Other types of eyelid cancer are much less common. Squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma make up 5% and less than 1% of all eyelid cancer, respectively.
Melanoma: Overview and More
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
This is a rare but aggressive cancer that starts in the eyelid’s touch receptors. It shows up as a fast-growing, purplish, or flesh-colored mass.
Causes of Eyelid Cancer
Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. However, knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your healthcare provider may help you make more informed lifestyle and healthcare choices.
Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation
Sunlight includes both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. UVB radiationproduces sunburnand plays a role in the development of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.UVA radiation penetrates the skin more deeply, causingphotoagingor wrinkling.
The role of UVA radiation in the development of non-melanoma eyelid cancer is suspected, but not certain. People who live in areas with year-round, bright sunlight have a higher risk of developing eyelid cancer. So do people who spend significant time outside or on a tanning bed, which produces mostly UVA radiation.
Other Risk Factors
Besides UV radiation, these are also risk factors for eyelid cancer:
Diagnosing Eyelid Cancer
In addition to a physical examination, one or more of the following tests may be used to diagnose eyelid cancer.
Biopsy
Since basal cell and squamous cell cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body, a biopsy is often the only test needed to determine the extent of cancer. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis.
Types of Skin Cancer Biopsies
If your healthcare provider suspects that cancer has spread beyond the eyelid, then imaging tests may be conducted. They may include the following.
Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan
A CT scan uses X-rays from various to create a detailed three-dimensional image of internal organs.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to produce a detailed three-dimensional image.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
What to Expect With a PET Scan
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of internal organs.
Treating Eyelid Cancer
If treated early, the success of eyelid cancer surgery is very high.
A biopsy can often be used as a diagnostic tool as well as a treatment. A surgical biopsy may remove part of the tumor (incisional) or the entire tumor (excisional).
If the tumor is found to be cancerous, and the surgeon hasremoved a sufficient margin of healthy tissuealong with the tumor, an excisional biopsy may be the only treatment needed.
Mohs Surgery
This technique involves removing the visible tumor and small fragments of the edge of where the tumor existed. Each small fragment is examined under a microscope until all cancer is removed.
This procedure is most often used for a larger tumor, a tumor in a hard-to-reach place, and for cancer that has come back to the same place.Mohssurgery is increasingly becoming a preferred technique for removing an eyelid tumor.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy or cryoablation, uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cells. The skin will later blister and shed off. This procedure will sometimes leave a pale scar, and patients may need more than one cryotherapy procedure.
Reconstructive Surgery
Many people with eyelid cancer require reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery differs from cosmetic surgery in that it is generally performed to improve eye function, although it may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Oftentimes, multiple surgeries are done, spread out over a period of time.
Non-Surgical Treatment
In addition to surgery, some people may require other types of treatment, such as targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This depends on the type of cancer, stage, and size of the tumor, and whether or not the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
Side Effects of Treatment
There are possible side effects for every cancer treatment, but people don’t experience the same side effects when given the same treatments for many reasons. That can make it hard to predict exactly how you will feel during treatment.
Before treatment begins, talk with your healthcare provider about possible side effects of each type of treatment you will be receiving. Ask which side effects are most likely to happen, when they are likely to occur, and what can be done to prevent or relieve them.
In some cases of eyelid surgery, the functioning of the eyelid can be affected so that the eye doesn’t close completely. This can cause the eye to become dry or tear. Fortunately, this can be treated with medication.
In addition, recurrence of cancer can happen if the tumor is not completely removed. Many eyelid tumors spread to the adjacent tissue, making it tricky to completely remove them. This is why it is recommended to receive treatment from a healthcare provider who is experienced in eyelid cancer treatment.
During and after treatment, it’s important to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you experience, even if you feel they are not serious. Side effects that last beyond the treatment period are called long-term side effects.
Future Treatment of Eyelid CancerThere are some non-surgical alternatives for the treatment of eyelid cancer on the horizon. They include the use of medications, in lotion or pill form, designed to kill cancer cells. Two drugs that are currently available for extensive eyelid cancers are showing promise—vismodegib and sonidegib. They are both used to treat basal cell carcinoma.
Future Treatment of Eyelid Cancer
There are some non-surgical alternatives for the treatment of eyelid cancer on the horizon. They include the use of medications, in lotion or pill form, designed to kill cancer cells. Two drugs that are currently available for extensive eyelid cancers are showing promise—vismodegib and sonidegib. They are both used to treat basal cell carcinoma.
Prognosis of Eyelid Cancer
In general, basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are almost always curable, especially if the cancer is found and treated early. Melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, but it can also be cured if it is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages.
Summary
Eyelid cancer is a type of skin cancer that appears on the eyelid. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanomas and Merkel cell carcinomas are much less common.
Eyelid cancer can appear as a shiny or pearly bump that is firm to the touch. It may be red, brown, or black and gets larger over time. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas usually do not spread to other parts of the body and can be treated with surgery. Some types of eyelid cancer, including melanoma, are more aggressive and more likely to spread but can be cured in its early stages.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine.Symptoms of eyelid cancer.Baş Z, Sharpe J, Yaghy A, Zhang Q, Shields CL, Hyman L.Prevalence of and associated factors for eyelid cancer in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry.Ophthalmol Sci. 2022;3(1):100227. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2022.100227University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Melanoma.Pe’er J.Pathology of eyelid tumors.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016;64(3):177-190. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.181752Finger PT.Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. New York Eye Cancer Center.Teng Y, Yu Y, Li S, et al.Ultraviolet radiation and basal cell carcinoma: an environmental perspective.Front Public Health. 2021;9(1):666528. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.666528American Cancer Society.Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors.Sato Y, Takahashi S, Toshiyasu T, Tsuji H, Hanai N, Homma A.Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid.Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2024;54(1):4-12. doi:10.1093/jjco/hyad127Schoelles KJ, Auw-Haedrich C.Updates on eyelid cancers.Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2024;13(2):100057. doi:10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100057University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Q&A: eyelid cancer.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine.Symptoms of eyelid cancer.Baş Z, Sharpe J, Yaghy A, Zhang Q, Shields CL, Hyman L.Prevalence of and associated factors for eyelid cancer in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry.Ophthalmol Sci. 2022;3(1):100227. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2022.100227University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Melanoma.Pe’er J.Pathology of eyelid tumors.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016;64(3):177-190. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.181752Finger PT.Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. New York Eye Cancer Center.Teng Y, Yu Y, Li S, et al.Ultraviolet radiation and basal cell carcinoma: an environmental perspective.Front Public Health. 2021;9(1):666528. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.666528American Cancer Society.Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors.Sato Y, Takahashi S, Toshiyasu T, Tsuji H, Hanai N, Homma A.Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid.Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2024;54(1):4-12. doi:10.1093/jjco/hyad127Schoelles KJ, Auw-Haedrich C.Updates on eyelid cancers.Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2024;13(2):100057. doi:10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100057University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Q&A: eyelid cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Medicine.Symptoms of eyelid cancer.Baş Z, Sharpe J, Yaghy A, Zhang Q, Shields CL, Hyman L.Prevalence of and associated factors for eyelid cancer in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry.Ophthalmol Sci. 2022;3(1):100227. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2022.100227University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Melanoma.Pe’er J.Pathology of eyelid tumors.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016;64(3):177-190. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.181752Finger PT.Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. New York Eye Cancer Center.Teng Y, Yu Y, Li S, et al.Ultraviolet radiation and basal cell carcinoma: an environmental perspective.Front Public Health. 2021;9(1):666528. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.666528American Cancer Society.Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors.Sato Y, Takahashi S, Toshiyasu T, Tsuji H, Hanai N, Homma A.Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid.Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2024;54(1):4-12. doi:10.1093/jjco/hyad127Schoelles KJ, Auw-Haedrich C.Updates on eyelid cancers.Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2024;13(2):100057. doi:10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100057University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Q&A: eyelid cancer.
Stanford Medicine.Symptoms of eyelid cancer.
Baş Z, Sharpe J, Yaghy A, Zhang Q, Shields CL, Hyman L.Prevalence of and associated factors for eyelid cancer in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry.Ophthalmol Sci. 2022;3(1):100227. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2022.100227
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Melanoma.
Pe’er J.Pathology of eyelid tumors.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016;64(3):177-190. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.181752
Finger PT.Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid. New York Eye Cancer Center.
Teng Y, Yu Y, Li S, et al.Ultraviolet radiation and basal cell carcinoma: an environmental perspective.Front Public Health. 2021;9(1):666528. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.666528
American Cancer Society.Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors.
Sato Y, Takahashi S, Toshiyasu T, Tsuji H, Hanai N, Homma A.Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid.Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2024;54(1):4-12. doi:10.1093/jjco/hyad127
Schoelles KJ, Auw-Haedrich C.Updates on eyelid cancers.Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2024;13(2):100057. doi:10.1016/j.apjo.2024.100057
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Q&A: eyelid cancer.
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