| EYELID & FACIAL CANCER AND LESIONS |
WHAT IS CANCER?
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled growth
and spread of abnormal cells. A tumor results when
certain cells grow into a mass of tissue. Tumors can be
either benign or malignant.
Benign tumors may require surgical treatment because
they interfere with body functions. Because they do not
invade neighboring tissue, benign tumors seldom are
considered life-threatening.
Malignant tumors invade and destroy normal tissue. Cells
from malignant tumors break away and spread to other
parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic
systems. Cancer can grow and spread rapidly or can take
years to develop.
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled growth
and spread of abnormal cells. A tumor results when
certain cells grow into a mass of tissue. Tumors can be
either benign or malignant.
Benign tumors may require surgical treatment because
they interfere with body functions. Because they do not
invade neighboring tissue, benign tumors seldom are
considered life-threatening.
Malignant tumors invade and destroy normal tissue. Cells
from malignant tumors break away and spread to other
parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic
systems. Cancer can grow and spread rapidly or can take
years to develop.
There are numerous non-malignant skin lesions that appear around the eyelids or other
areas of the face which need to be distinguished from skin cancer. A few examples of the
most common facial skin growths are shown here.
Chalazion
- an obstruction with inflammation of the eyelid glands
Keratosis
- Also known as "old age" spots"
- important to watch these areas for change
- can be precancerous
- appear as scaly patches of skin that can be flat or raised and dark in color
Papilloma
- an overgrowth of some of the skin elements (skin tags)
Sebaceous Cyst
- Slow growing cyst containing cheesy material
Xanthelasma
- Yellow patches of fatty material commonly occurring at the corners of the eyelids.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?
Surgical excision is the method of choice for treating most facial skin cancers and eyelid
malignancies. Surgical excision, in which a pathologist examines the removed tissue, gives
the patient the lowest incidence of recurrence and often the best cosmetic result.
Burning, freezing and radiation treatment, although often used to treat skin cancers, do not
actually allow proof of the initial diagnosis of cancer or guarantee complete eradication of all
tumor cells.
Most benign facial growths can be removed easily in Dr. Victor's office using a local
anesthetic. Skin cancer surgery and biopsies are covered by Medicare and private
insurance companies and are performed at Boswell Hospital in their outpatient surgery
center.
Surgical excision is the method of choice for treating most facial skin cancers and eyelid
malignancies. Surgical excision, in which a pathologist examines the removed tissue, gives
the patient the lowest incidence of recurrence and often the best cosmetic result.
Burning, freezing and radiation treatment, although often used to treat skin cancers, do not
actually allow proof of the initial diagnosis of cancer or guarantee complete eradication of all
tumor cells.
Most benign facial growths can be removed easily in Dr. Victor's office using a local
anesthetic. Skin cancer surgery and biopsies are covered by Medicare and private
insurance companies and are performed at Boswell Hospital in their outpatient surgery
center.
More than 500,000 people develop skin cancer each year, making it the most prevalent of
all cancers. Arizona has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer. People with fair skin
and red or blond hair have a tendency to burn easily and are most prone to skin cancer.
However, anyone who spends a great deal of time in the sun is at risk. Approximately 90%
of all skin cancers occur in sun exposed areas of the body - the face, tips of the ears, hands
and forearms.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF SKIN CANCER?
More than 75% of all eyelid tumors are benign growths such a keratosis, nevi (moles) and
chalazions (styes.) Basal cell carcinoma is the most common eyelid malignancy, comprising
more that 90% of all eyelid cancers and nearly 20% of eyelid tumors in general.
The following are examples of malignant skin cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Malignant Melanoma
all cancers. Arizona has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer. People with fair skin
and red or blond hair have a tendency to burn easily and are most prone to skin cancer.
However, anyone who spends a great deal of time in the sun is at risk. Approximately 90%
of all skin cancers occur in sun exposed areas of the body - the face, tips of the ears, hands
and forearms.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF SKIN CANCER?
More than 75% of all eyelid tumors are benign growths such a keratosis, nevi (moles) and
chalazions (styes.) Basal cell carcinoma is the most common eyelid malignancy, comprising
more that 90% of all eyelid cancers and nearly 20% of eyelid tumors in general.
The following are examples of malignant skin cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
- most common skin cancer
- occurs on sun exposed areas
- tumors usually elevated and pale with prominent blood vessels
- central area of tumor may become ulcerated
- locally destructive and invasive
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- second most common malignant skin tumor
- can arise from previously sun-damaged skin
- appears as red, scaly, elevated area, or area that doesn't heal
- can spread
Malignant Melanoma
- rarely involves the eyelids
- can arise from new areas of pigmentation or from some moles
- can grow by superficial spreading, and my become nodular
- usually curable if detected early
- advanced cases can be fatal
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