It is essential for patients to diagnose and remove malignant tumors on the eyelids early on to minimize cancer damage and the emotional distress from the condition. Assuta ocular oncologists have a deep understanding of eyelid tumors and extensive experience in leading-edge treatments, such as Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Most eyelid tumors are benign, including chalazia (lumps or cysts), papillomas (protruding
tumors that grow from epithelial tissue), and cysts. Most malignant eyelid tumors grow slowly,
but they can damage and distort the eyelid’s natural appearance.

Most cancers in the eye area are malignant carcinomas, such as:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common malignant eyelid tumor, basal cell carcinoma
  usually appears on the lower eyelid, but can also form inside the eyelid and on the upper
  eyelid. The tumor grows slowly, but is destructive to the eyelid; it usually grows locally and
  does not tend to metastasize. If the tumor is not treated, it can grow into the eye socket
  and be life-threatening.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This cancer is less common on eyelids but is aggressive and
  dangerous.
• Sebaceous Call Carcinoma: This cancer grows on the sebaceous gland, a microscopic gland
  in the skin that opens into a hair follicle. The tumor is especially common on the upper
  eyelid, and the great danger is that it can be mistakenly diagnosed as a chalazion (a lump
  or cyst) that also has its source in the sebaceous gland. This tumor type is aggressive and
  can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.
• Melanoma: This is the most aggressive skin cancer, which is more common in people with
  light skin. It can be caused by sun exposure, but it rarely grows on the eyelid, and is usually
  spread from another part of the body.

Eyelid tumor removal

Veteran Assuta Hospital ophthalmologists have expertise in eyelid reconstruction, which is extremely important for maximum cosmetic results.

Tumor-removal methods

Physicians recommend that patients have malignant tumors analyzed without delay, even
tumors that grow slowly. Two surgical methods can be used to remove eyelid tumors:

Frozen Section

The tumor is removed as a single mass, and a sample of the tumor margins (areas around the
tumor) are examined under microscope to determine if the margins still have cancer
indicators. If cancer is detected in the margins, another part of the affected area is removed.
Oculoplastic ophthalmologists at Assuta specialize in performing this type of surgery, including
removing the tumor, taking frozen sections for pathological evaluation, and reconstructing the
eyelid.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery removes eyelid tumors more accurately, and is performed mainly on large
tumors. Assuta offers this highly precise surgery, which has several advantages over other
treatments, namely that it offers a high cure rate and has minimal risk to normal tissue. With
the Mohs method, the surgeon removes the tumor in stages, accompanied by a pathologist
who immediately evaluates the tumor and surrounding tissues (margins) for cancer cells. This
makes it possible to remove the tumor completely while minimizing the impact on non-
cancerous tissue. This approach also reduces the amount of reconstruction that must be done.

In some cases, the eyelid tumor is removed via Mohs surgery, and the patient is subsequently
sent to an ophthalmologist specializing in oncoplastic surgery for eyelid reconstruction.