Outcome of patients with periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma with and without conjunctival intraepithelial invasion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical findings, histopathologic features, methods of management, and outcomes in 25 patients with eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma with and without conjunctival intraepithelial (pagetoid) invasion.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five patients with sebaceous gland carcinoma of the periocular region.

DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups: group A included those with sebaceous gland carcinoma with conjunctival intraepithelial (pagetoid) invasion, and group B included those with sebaceous gland carcinoma without conjunctival intraepithelial invasion. The demographic, clinical, and histopathologic features of sebaceous gland carcinoma were reviewed separately for each group. Ocular management results and systemic prognosis were reviewed.

RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 18 (72%) were females and 7 (28%) were males. The mean age at diagnosis was 65 years (range, 17-90 years). There were 11 patients (44%) in group A, and 14 (56%) in group B. The most common symptom in group A was ocular irritation (45%), and in group B the most common symptom was eyelid lump (86%). The most common sign in group A was diffuse eyelid thickening (72%), and in group B the most common sign was a distinct eyelid mass (43%). Six patients (55%) in group A, compared with one patient (7%) in group B, had both upper and lower eyelid involvement. The most frequent location of tumor epicenter was the outer third of the eyelid in both groups: 37% in group A and 57% in group B. Histopathologic origin of tumor was multicentric in four patients (36%) of group A and six patients (50%) of group B. Before referral, local recurrence had been found in 4 of 12 patients (33%) who underwent surgical treatment elsewhere. After referral, local recurrence was detected in 1 patient (9%) in group A and in 2 patients (14%) in group B. Orbital exenteration was necessary in 4 patients (36%) in group A and in one patient (7%) in group B. Tumor-related metastases occurred in two patients (18%) in group A and in two patients (14%) in group B.

CONCLUSIONS: Sebaceous gland carcinoma with conjunctival intraepithelial (pagetoid) invasion has different clinical features compared with that without pagetoid invasion. Conjunctival intraepithelial (pagetoid) invasion carries a higher risk for orbital exenteration, but the risk of tumor-related metastases is similar in both groups.