Eyelid Cancer

Why choose us for eyelid cancer

Several types of cancer can affect the eyelid, and each of them requires specialized care. At Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, you receive care from a team of experienced doctors dedicated to improving your health.

Fellowship-trained Mohs (dermatology) and ophthalmology cancer surgeons perform intricate procedures to remove early and advanced eyelid cancers. Our reconstructive expertise offers enhanced options to restore the eyelid’s natural look and function.

Find out more about our eye cancer program.

What you need to know about eyelid cancer

• Most cancers that grow around the eyelid are a common type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is unlikely to spread to other parts of the body and often responds well to treatment.
• Having fair (light) skin or blue eyes increases your chances of developing eyelid cancer. Other known risk factors include prolonged ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure (from many hours in the sun over years) and smoking cigarettes.
• People who have BCC eyelid cancer are more likely to develop it again later in life. We offer comprehensive skin cancer screenings to help you assess your cancer risk and protect your long-term health.
• Depending on your needs, multiple specialists may weigh in on your care. Our team includes surgeons who have additional training in eye cancer treatment and plastic and reconstructive surgery. We coordinate your treatment and reconstructive care, helping you access all the services you need within one health system.

How to talk to your doctor about eyelid cancer

Cancer diagnosis and treatment affects every person differently. Our team will explain what your diagnosis means and help you navigate the care process.

We take our time to explain your treatment options in detail. You can trust us to provide honest and helpful answers to questions you may have about how treatment could affect your vision or appearance.

Many of our patients ask a trusted family member or friend to support them. When you come to appointments or treatment sessions, we encourage you to surround yourself with people who will support you during treatment and recovery.

You might want to ask your doctor about:

• Additional testing, if any, you may need to inform your diagnosis or treatment plan
• Cancer details, including the size and type of eyelid cancer and whether it has spread to the tear duct apparatus or other parts of the body (or could in the future)
• Treatment options, including any steps you should take after treatment to help heal
• Potential treatment side effects and how you can manage them
• Skin cancer screening, including skin safety tips and how often your doctor recommends skin cancer screening to help protect your long-term health

Types

We treat all types of cancers that affect the eyelid, including:

• Basal cell carcinoma makes up the vast majority of eyelid tumors. BCCs often occur on the lower eyelid.
• Squamous cell carcinoma is a less common type of eyelid cancer that may be more likely to spread beyond the eyelid.
• Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare cancer that grows from glands near the eye. It most often affects the upper eyelid.
• Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare eyelid cancer that has a higher chance of spreading to other areas of the body.
• Melanoma of the skin can affect the eyelid in rare cases. Melanoma skin cancer is different than ocular melanoma, cancer that develops from cells inside the eye.

Symptoms

Eyelid cancer affects people in different ways. Common eyelid cancer symptoms include:

• Discolored (like pink or white) area on the eyelid
• Lesion on the eyelid that hurts or bleeds
• Unusual changes to the eyelid’s look or feel
• Swelling near the eyelid
• Lump or bump on the eyelid, especially one that grows

Diagnosis

Our specialists diagnose eyelid cancers by performing a thorough physical evaluation of the eye area. Our team includes dermatologists (skin specialists) and ophthalmologists (eye specialists) trained to diagnose eyelid cancers.

Your doctor may recommend a biopsy (tissue sample removal) to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis. A biopsy can also help us pinpoint the specific type of cancer. Knowing the type helps us recommend the most appropriate treatment course for your situation.

Treatment

Your care team will consider an eyelid tumor’s size and location and the cancer type before developing a treatment plan that’s right for you.

In most cases of eyelid cancer, doctors recommend surgery to remove the tumor. They also take a bit of healthy tissue (called a margin) to ensure no cancer remains.

Our team includes experienced surgeons with fellowship training in advanced eye cancer treatments and plastic and reconstructive surgery. This in-depth training enables our specialists to perform intricate procedures to remove difficult-to-treat cancers and rebuild the eyelid.

Multiple doctors may participate in your care. You may need one surgery to remove cancer and a second reconstructive procedure. We use leading eyelid reconstructive techniques to re-create the eyelid and restore its look and function.

For basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or sebaceous carcinoma, your doctor may recommend Mohs micrographic surgery. For this procedure, a surgeon removes cancer cells one layer at a time. After each layer, the surgeon immediately inspects cells under a microscope, repeating the process until no cancer remains.

This treatment is highly effective while protecting healthy tissue, which can lead to a smaller scar. Learn more about Mohs surgery.

In some cases, patients with advanced BCC may benefit from chemotherapy (interferon) injections into the tumor. This medication can shrink the tumor, enabling surgeons to remove cancer while preserving vital structures.

Research and clinical trials

Clinical trials explore the next generation of leading cancer therapies. As an academic research center, our physician-scientists participate in hundreds of clinical trials that explore new ways to improve cancer care.

Your doctor will explain how available clinical trials may benefit any aspect of your treatment, if you are eligible. Read more about cancer research and clinical trials.