Mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid. An immunohistochemical study.

Mucinous carcinoma is a rare primary eyelid malignancy. It is, however, more common in other sites and may metastasize to the eye. Thus, it is important to consider a distant primary when diagnosing mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid. We studied various immunohistochemical markers that may be useful. Two cases of mucinous carcinoma from the eyelid were reacted with antibodies to cytokeratins (35-beta-H11), carcinoembryonic antigen, S-100 protein, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, alpha-lactalbumin, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. All antigens were positive in both cases. This study shows that immunohistochemistry may help exclude metastatic mucinous carcinoma to the eyelid from many sites, except the breast, which the eyelid primary closely resembles. Thus, a breast primary should be specifically sought and excluded clinically.