Epidemiology of neoplastic eyelid lesions in tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Lesions from cutaneous portion of eyelid account for the considerable number of ocular specimens sent to the histopathology laboratory for evaluation. Wide spectrum of lesions ranging from non-neoplastic to neoplastic lesions can arise from different tissues of eyelid. Aim: The aim of our study was to categorise the Neoplastic lesions, evaluate the prevalence of tumors and to compare with epidemiological data. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 774 consecutive cases of Eyelid tumors over a period of 5 years was carried out in tertiary health care system through histopathological confirmation. Results: A total of 774 eyelid tumors consisted of 718 Benign lesions (92.76%) and 56 Malignant lesions (7.24%). Benign tumors were common in the fifth decade with female predominance affecting upper eyelid. Maximum number of Benign tumors were 318(44.28%) cases of Cystic lesions followed by 135(18.8%) Melanocytic lesions and 126(17.54%) cases of Epithelial proliferations. Malignant tumors were predominant in seventh decade with female preponderance and preference for lower eyelid. Sebaceous gland carcinoma 24(42.85%) was the commonest malignant tumor followed by 18(32.14%) Basal cell carcinoma, 5(8. 92%) Squamous cell carcinomas and 4(7.14%) cases of Malignant melanomas. An interesting case of Squamous cell carcinoma arising from Pilomatricoma was also seen. Rare tumors noted were 3 cases of Keratoacanthoma and one each case of Merkel cell carcinoma and Non -Hodgkin's lymphoma. Conclusion: Benign tumors comprise majority of eyelid tumors. A high index of suspicion for malignant lesion will enable the patients for early diagnosis and management with the better prognosis of these tumors.