Eyecare America

A tumor can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors often remain localized, while malignant tumors often spread into surrounding structures. A tumor can affect the eye socket, eyeball, eye muscles, optic nerve, fat, and tissues.

Eyelid Tumors

Basal cell carcinomas are the most frequently encountered kind of cancer affecting the eyelid, making up 85% to 95% of all malignant eyelid tumors. The most common location is the inner portion of the lower eyelid, particularly in elderly, fair-skinned people.

There are many different types of basal cell carcinomas, but the nodular variety is one of the most common. It appears as a raised, firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels.

If the bump is in the eyelash area, some lashes may be missing. The bump may have some surface missing or crusted over and look like an eyelid stye.

Although these tumors are malignant, they rarely spread elsewhere in the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common kind of cancerous eyelid tumor (occurring in approximately 5% of malignant eyelid tumors). As with basal cell carcinoma, the most common location is the lower eyelid, particularly in elderly, fair-skinned people.

This tumor also appears as a raised bump that can lead to loss of eyelashes in the involved area. When detected and treated early, the outcome for these tumors is excellent. However, if the tumor is neglected, it can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck.

Sebaceous cell carcinoma originates in glands of the eyelid in elderly individuals. It is relatively rare but still accounts for 1% to 5% of cancerous eyelid tumors. These are highly malignant tumors that may come back after removal, invade the eye socket, or spread to lymph nodes. The tumor may look like an eyelid stye, making it difficult to diagnose.

Malignant melanoma makes up almost 1% of all cancerous eyelid tumors but accounts for many of the deaths from malignant eyelid tumors. Any areas of unusual or changing pigment on the skin should be examined, especially if it is growing or changing color.

Orbital Tumors

The orbit is the bony socket that contains the eye, the muscles that move the eye, the optic nerve, and all the related nerves and blood vessels. Signs of an orbital tumor include bulging of the eyeball, visual loss, double vision, or pain.

The different kinds of orbital tumors include:

• optic nerve glioma, a benign tumor often associated with neurofibromatosis;
• orbital meningioma, a tumor growing from the tissue covering the brain;
• hemangioma, a benign tumor made up of blood vessels or vessel elements;
• lymphangioma, a tumor made up of enlarged lymphatic vessels;
• neurofibroma, a tumor made up nerve cells;
• sarcoma, a malignant tumor growing from connective tissue; and
• metastasis, a malignant tumor that spreads to the orbit from other parts of the body.