What Causes Eyelid Cancer

Without the sun, few living things could exist, but the sun can also cause
dreadful damage to the skin. Millions of people expose themselves to the sun and
tanning lights everyday. The amount of exposure can vary from a little to a lot.
Yet, even people who get a limited amount of exposure, without proper skin
protection, can become candidates for skin cancer. Cancer of the eyelid can be
as subtle as a small bump, discoloration of the skin, changing birthmark, or
loss of lashes, or it can be as large as a disfiguring mass.

The prime candidates for skin cancers are individuals with pale to lightly
pigmented skin and people who currently, or have previously, overexposed
themselves to the sun. Nevertheless, even people with darker pigmented skin
types can be affected.

What Are The Different Types Of Eyelid Cancer

There are several different types of eyelid cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma, the
most common eyelid cancer, has a tendency to appear on the lower lid, although
all four lids could be affected. This cancer has a tendency to be local to the
area that it invades and seldom is life threatening. Squamous Cell Carcinoma,
Sebaceous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma are less common types of eyelid skin
cancer, but these types of cancers tend to invade locally as well as
systemically, therefore have life threatening consequences.

How To Prevent Eyelid Cancer

The best way to prevent eyelid cancer and sun damage is to prevent sun exposure.
To achieve this goal, always wear a sun block of at least 15 or greater, wear
sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB block protection, and wear a large hat
that shades the face when exposed to the sun for a long period of time.

How To Detect Eyelid Cancer

Detection of a cancerous lesion is usually best diagnosed by a physician.
However, self evaluation is usually your best detection. The most common signs
of a cancerous lesion are lumps or bumps on your eyelid that were not there
before, or changes in size or color of an existing lesion, e.g., birthmarks or
moles. Other signs of an invasive cancerous lesion are loss of lashes or
focalized white lashes, chronic non-resolving inflammation of the eyelid, or a
bleeding lesion. If you notice any of these signs, you should immediately
contact your ophthalmologist for an evaluation. In many cases the lesion is
benign, but you never want to take a chance.

Treatment Of Eyelid Cancer

Since the eyelid has a protective and nutritional function to the eye, the
excision of the lesion can become very challenging. For a small tumor, the mass
can be removed without affecting the eyelid function. However, if the tumor is
large, various reconstructive surgical techniques may be needed to restore
proper lid function and normal appearance of the eyelid.

Most of these surgical procedures are performed under local anesthesia, on an
out-patient basis, and patients are able to return to their normal activities
quickly.