592 Springfield Ave.
Westfield, NJ 07090
908.789.8999
517 Route One South
Suite 1100
Iselin, NJ 08830
732.636.7355
Eyelid Skin Cancers at
The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey
About Skin Cancers
Growths around the eyelids and face are common. The vast majority of these lesions are benign and can be easily removed in the office. The approach to growths of the eyelids and face is similar to elsewhere on the body. Changes in appearance, size or color are all considered important to the evaluation of eyelid and facial growths. An in office bioposy
may be required. This procedure is quick and relatively simple. Dr. Thiagarajah has extensive experience in evaluating the treating all forms of abnormal growths of the face and eyelids. Should the growth in question be malignant, Dr. Thiagarajah can treat these as well. There are several types of malignant growths of the eyelid and face.
About Basal Cell Carcinoma
By far, the most common malignant or cancerous growth of the eyelid is known as basal cell carcinoma. This is most typically a very slow growing malignancy that may be present for several months before it is recognized. This entity rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it does require removal and reconstruction. Dr. Thiagarajah will perform an evaluation of any abnormal growth of the face and eyelids and will possibly recommend an in office biopsy. Should the biopsy specimen be read by the pathologist as positive for malignancy, further management will be required. This may include a simple office procedure or may require extensive removal and reconstruction in a hospital setting under monitored anesthesia. If this is done in the hospital, frozen sections will be taken of the margins of the lesion. These specimens will be sent to the pathologist while Dr. Thiagarajah awaits the report. When all abnormal tissue has been removed, Dr. Thiagarajah will reconstruct the affected area. This may require simple closure with sutures, or it may require the use of skin grafts or flaps. Dr. Thiagarajah has extensive experience in repairing defects from the smallest to very extensive.
Once the tumor is removed completely, the patient is generally kept under observation yearly over the next several years. It is unlikely that the tumor will recur or cause further problems, but once you have a single basal cell, it is certainly more likely to have others in the coming years. Generally, patients do extremely well and most patients who undergo resection and reconstruction of a basal cell carcinoma can have no residual cosmetic deformity.
About Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Like basal cell carcinoma, this is a relativey slow growing cancer. It does however, have a greater potential to locally invade, as well as metastasize. It can also travel along nerve roots and therefore, can often present with pain. Fortunately, it is much less common than basal cell cancers. It is managed in generally the same way as a basal cell cancer, although a wide excision may be required. It is also generally dealt with more promptly than a basal cell cancer.
About Sebaceous Cell Adenocarcinoma
Sebaceous cell adenocarcinoma is exceedingly rare, but it is most specific to the eyelids. It can clinically mimic several other benign problems of the eye and it is therefore misdiagnosed or diagnosed after delay. It most frequently occurs in patients in the 70’s and 80’s but can occur at any age. It is serious in the sense that it has metastatic potential. Diagnosis is often difficult even when an adequate specimen is obtained and sent for pathologic evaluation. Dr. Thiagarajah has extensive experience in diagnosing, managing and treating patients with sebaceous cell adenocarcinoma.
About Melanoma
Like other parts of the body, an abnormal coloration to the skin can represent a melanoma or something along the spectrum of a melanoma. While eyelid/facial melanomas are rare, any pigmented lesion around the eyelid deserves attention. Similar guidelines to pigmented lesions or moles on other parts of the body, certainly apply to the eyelids. Changes in color, size and behavior all warrant evaluation and possible biopsy.
Eye Care & Surgery Center and our New Jersey Oculoplastic Surgery Specialist Chris Thiagarajah, M.D. provides reconstructive eye plastic surgery for Eyelid Skin Cancers such as Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell carcinoma and Melanoma in New Jersey and is conveniently located for New Jersey patients from Westfield, Iselin, Warren, Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills, and Paramus New Jersey. To schedule an appointment for a Consultation please call us at 908.789.8999.
