Overview

Eyelid cancer is a general term for a cancer that occurs on or in the eyelid and is broadly categorized as an epithelial (outer surface) tumor. An eyelid tumor may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other places in the body). A tumor is a mass of tissue created by cells that grow abnormally and without control, and eyelid tumors can begin from sebaceous (fat), sweat, and apocrine glands (a type of sweat gland). The most common types of cancer occurring on the eyelid are:

Basal cell carcinoma. Under the squamous cells (flat, scale-like cells) in the lower epidermis (outer layer of skin) are round cells known as basal cells. About 80% of skin cancers arise from this layer in skin, and they are directly related to exposure to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of eyelid cancer, usually appearing in the lower lid and occurring most often in individuals with fair or pale skin.

Sebaceous carcinoma. Mostly occurring in middle-age to older adults, sebaceous carcinoma is the second most common eyelid cancer. It may start from meibomian glands (glands of the eyelids that discharge a fatty secretion that lubricates the eyelids) and, less frequently, glands of Zeis (sebaceous glands at 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, and Muir-Torre syndrome. A large sebaceous carcinoma, or one that returns after treatment, may require surgical removal of the eye.

Squamous cell carcinoma. The top layer of the epidermis is mostly made up of squamous cells. Approximately 10% to 30% of skin cancers begin in this layer and usually arise from sun exposure, but can also appear on skin that has been burned, damaged by chemicals, or exposed to x-rays. Squamous cell carcinoma is much less common than basal cell carcinoma, but it behaves more aggressively and can more easily spread to nearby tissues.

Melanoma. The deepest layer of the epidermis contains scattered cells called melanocytes, which produce the melanin that gives skin color. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious of the three skin cancer types. Please see the Cancer.Net Guide to Melanoma for more information.

Statistics

Eyelid cancer is rare, with an average of 19.6 cases reported per every 100,000 men and 13.3 cases per every 100,000 women in the United States each year. The most common eyelid cancer, basal cell carcinoma, affects 16.9 men and 12.4 women per every 100,000 people each year. Estimates of a cure rate of basal cell carcinoma reach as high as 95%, although this depends on several factors, including the extent of the disease when diagnosed.

Cancer statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of cancer in the United States, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with eyelid cancer.

Source: Duong, Hon-Vu Q, MD, "Basal Cell Carcinoma, Eyelid," eMedicine 9 March 2007. http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic199.htm.

Find out more about basic cancer terms used in this section.