Eyelid skin cancer can become very serious if left untreated.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the eyelid region accounts for five to 10 percent of all skin cancers.  The thin and delicate structure of the eyelid makes it particularly prone to skin cancer because it is often ignored when it comes to protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  Surprisingly, most eyelid skin cancer occurs on the lower lids because they receive the greatest amount of sun exposure.

Eyelid Skin Cancer Symptoms

Eyelid tumors aren’t easily detected and may grow under the skin for years before presenting on the surface.  However, there are some warning signs:

  • Unexplained loss of lashes
  • Inflammation or persistent red eyes that do not respond to medication
  • A bleeding lump or bump that never disappears
  • Swelling of the eyelid
  • Chronic infection of the eyelid

The most common form of eyelid skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma – and, while BCC rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it will not go away untreated.  When left untreated, you run the risk of tumors growing around the eye and into the orbit, sinuses, muscles, nerves, bones and possibly reaching your brain, and in rare cases may even cause death.

Eyelid Cancer Treatment

The only treatment for skin cancer is surgery performed by a skilled professional who will not only remove the tumor, but will reconstruct the area on your eyelid where the tumor was removed.  In addition, your ophthalmologist will recommend follow-up examinations to ensure the tumor has not spread.

When areas of skin cancer are; larger in size, have ill-defined borders, and are located in areas of scarring, your doctor may recommend MOH’s surgery.   A highly advanced treatment for skin cancer, MOH’s surgery, may also be preferred when skin cancer develops on an area where cosmetic appearance is important.  One of the biggest advantages of MOH’s surgery is the high cure rate and tissue sparring nature of the procedure.

Watch this video by Dr Gil Epstein of Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute as he discusses the MOH’s technique to treat eyelid skin cancer

If you believe you might have eyelid skin cancer, please make an appointment with us today.   Call (954) 741-5555.