Successful Treatment of Extensive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva and Upper Eyelid Skin With Topical Therapy Alone

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the Eyebrow of a Woman: A Rare Case Report

The exact incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or nonmelanoma skin cancer is unknown, and it is believed that the rate of occurrence is increasing with the growing elderly population and sun exposure, and it is more prevalent in males than in females. In this article, we describe the case of an 81-year-old woman who presented with a lesion on the right upper eyebrow. The patient had been consulting a dermatologist and undergoing treatment for three months. However, the lesion did not show any signs of improvement, and the dermatologist speculated that it might be a common wound that was healing slowly because of her diabetes. Imaging revealed an ulcerating skin lesion on the right upper eyebrow without connection to the deeper structures. Surgical intervention was chosen with the patient's consent. This rare case of CSCC on a woman's eyebrow showed that skin cancer can occur in unusual locations and in people without risk factors.

Topical 1% 5-fluorouracil eye drops as primary treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia: Long-term follow-up study

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy and safety of topical 1% 5-fluorouracil (5FU) eye drops as primary treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).

METHODS

Patients were diagnosed with OSSN based on slit-lamp examination and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). In ambiguous cases an incisional biopsy was performed. All were treated with 5FU eye drops as primary therapy and retrospectively reviewed. Data on demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment outcome, and side effects were collected. The primary outcome measures were resolution frequency and recurrence rate of OSSN. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for resolution and recurrence, and side effects of treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of 251 subjects (258 eyes) was 67.5 ± 11.7 years, 182 were male. Patients were followed up on average for 752 ± 580 days. Overall, 87% of patients experienced complete tumor resolution. Multivariable analysis revealed that superior tumor location (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41-0.93, p = 0.02) and leukoplakia (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.41-0.93, p = 0.02), decreased the likelihood of tumor resolution. The recurrence rate was 4% at six months, 8% at one year, and 19% at two years. Larger tumor area increased chances of tumor recurrence (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02 p = 0.03). The most common side effects of 5-FU were mild hyperemia and pain, which occurred in 26% and 23% of patients, respectively. Among the sight-threatening side effects, limbal stem cell deficiency occurred in only 3% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical 1% 5FU eye drops are a safe and effective medication for OSSN. Superior tumor location and leukoplakia decreased the chance of tumor resolution.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Case report

Introduction

The prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma of the eyeball is low, and this is a rare condition. There are multiple therapeutic strategies for the treatment and depend on the degree of local involvement and extension of the tumor which, in turn, will have an impact on the patient's prognosis.

Presentation of case

We present a case of a patient with a mass of progressive growth on the left eyeball whit vision damage. The biopsy showed a squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, and imaging studies showed orbital invasion cT4bN0cM0, so surgery was indicated. The surgery was done with macroscopic margins of 5 mm. After resection, a radial free flap reconstruction was performed. Adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy was performed without complications. After six months, the patient manifested an improvement in his quality of life, and there is no evidence of relapse.

Discussion

The prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is low. The most important risk factor is exposure to UV rays. Most are derived from conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms. There are topical management protocols with chemotherapeutic agents and in patients with ocular or orbital invasion, enucleation and exanteration are the treatments of choice.

Conclusion

The squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctive is rare. The management in the locally advanced tumors is surgical. The use of a radial free flap reconstruction is one of the reconstructive strategies to take into account, and the knowledge of additional strategies required to control the disease is important to ensure an optimal treatment.

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Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent tumor of the eyeball.

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The most important risk factor is the exposure to UV rays (damage in repairing DNA).

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There are topical management protocols with multiple chemotherapeutic agents.

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In patients with ocular or orbital invasion, the surgery is the GOLD standard of care.

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Adjuvant therapies are useful tools in the oncological management of these patients.