Four-eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma following irradiation.

BACKGROUND

Sebaceous cell carcinoma is a distinctive tumor of the eyelid associated with a high rate of metastasis and mortality. Involvement of both upper and lower lids has been described; however, involvement of all 4 eyelids is extremely rare.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the evaluation and diagnosis of the clinicopathologic features in a 74-year-old patient with 4-eyelid sebaceous carcinoma and a history of whole face irradiation for eczema.

METHODS

Bilateral eyelid, conjunctiva, map, and fine needle biopsy of enlarged, submandibular lymph node specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and oil-red-O for light microscopy and fresh-frozen sections were evaluated by electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The biopsy specimens from the eyelids and conjunctiva showed sebaceous carcinoma cells in the meibomian glands and scattered within the conjunctival epithelium. The cells were moderately well differentiated. Similar cells stained with oil-red-O were found in the submandibular lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

The appearance of bilateral sebaceous carcinoma supports the concept of simultaneous occurrence of multiple primaries in specific patients, especially after radiation therapy. Patients with a history of facial irradiation and atypical eyelid lesions should be evaluated for malignant tumors such as sebaceous carcinoma.