Primary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: An Extremely Rare Eyelid Tumor

Adnexal neoplasms of the eye

Adnexal neoplasms of the eyelid encompass a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors of sebaceous, follicular, and sweat gland origin. Due to the specialized structures of the eyelid, these neoplasms present differently when compared with those of other locations. Although most dermatologists and ophthalmologists are familiar with the commonly reported adnexal tumors of the eyelid, such as hidrocystoma, pilomatrixoma, and sebaceous carcinoma, many other adnexal neoplasms have been reported at this unique anatomic site. Accurate and timely identification of these neoplasms is essential, as alterations of eyelid anatomy and function can have a negative impact on eye health, vision, and quality of life. We review the clinical and histopathologic features of common and rare eyelid adnexal neoplasms and discuss proposed treatment options.

A Unique Case of Primary Cutaneous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Associated with Aplasia Cutis Congenita in a Four-Year-Old Female: A Case Report

Introduction: Primary cutaneous adenoid-cystic carcinoma (PCACC) is a rare malignant tumour reported in only about 450 cases in the literature, with only two adolescent cases reported. PCACC seems to occur between the fifth and seventh decade of life, and the most frequent regions involved are head and neck (46%). Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) has an incidence of 1:10,000, and it seems to be rarely associated with neoplastic lesions. Interestingly, the association between PCACC and ACC has, so far, never been described. Methods: We report a case of PCACC in the scalp associated with ACC in a four-year-old patient. Discussion: The patient was under follow-up at the dermatology unit, but suddenly a red lesion appeared within the ACC. This red, ulcerated area increased rapidly over six months, so it was surgically removed, and the pathological examination results were suggestive for cribriform PCACC. According to the guidelines for skin tumours, the patient underwent widening resection, and an advancement-sliding skin flap was performed to recreate the scalp. After one year of follow-up, the patient has no local or widespread recurrence of the PCACC, and the surgical scar appears to have healed well. Conclusions: This clinical case is the first known patient with PCACC associated with ACC. A skin excision biopsy should be performed with wide margins to avoid a second widening resection of skin in a similar scenario. Genetic studies may help to identify the origin of this rare association.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Eyelid Can Locally Recur and Mimic Basal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the eyelid is a very rare tumor, and only 11 cases have been previously reported in the literature. Here the authors report the 12th case of eyelid ACC that was initially diagnosed as adenoid basal cell carcinoma. This is the first report of local recurrence after wide local excision using the Mohs technique. Additionally, this is the first report that demonstrates that ACC can present clinically and histologically similar to basal cell carcinoma. The authors summarize the previous reports of eyelid ACC to compile a reference for this growing body of literature. It is important for oculoplastic surgeons and dermatopathologists to keep ACC in the differential diagnosis of eyelid tumors and carefully examine histology specimens with this differential in mind.

Adenocarcinoma NOS arising from accessory lacrimal glands: A case report and a review of the literature

Primary malignant epithelial tumours arising from accessory lacrimal glands (ALGs) are extremely rare, with only few cases reported in literature. They generally appear as gradually increasing masses of the upper or the lower eyelid. Only one case of primary adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (ACNOS) from ALGs has been reported in literature. Herein, we describe a case of ACNOS arising from ALGs with an atypical clinical presentation and review prior cases of ALGs epithelial malignancies reported in the literature. A 78-year-old man referred to our Ocular Oncology Unit for adjuvant therapy after the excision of a conjunctival tumour of the left eye with a histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. He underwent topical chemotherapy with MMC and during follow up he presented a multinodular iris mass in his left eye. The MRI of the orbit showed an ocular mass infiltrating orbital soft tissues of the inferior palpebral region with an involvement of the corresponding zygomatic cutis. We performed orbital exenteration and histological studies revealed an epithelial neoplasm with a solido-glandular growth pattern with lumens containing an eosinophilic material positive for PAS and PAS-D. The immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma NOS from ALGs. Although ALGs epithelial malignancies are extremely uncommon, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ocular tumours. A vigilant approach towards these entities is required, since they can be clinically insidious and locally aggressive.

A rare masquerade of chalazion: Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rarely seen malignant epithelial tumor of the eyelids. We present a rare case of primary ACC arising from the tarsal plate of the lower lid that clinically resembled a chalazion. A 66-year-old female presented with a recurring nodule in her left lower lid. She gave history of surgery for chalazion removal from the same site twice earlier. An initial diagnosis of a recurrent chalazion was made, and incision and curettage was done. Light microscopy showed a solid tumor composed predominantly of sheet-like and nested pattern of basaloid to low-columnar cells with intervening fibrovascular septa and lacking an obvious cribriform or tubular architecture. The tumor cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and CD117 and negative for adipophilin, HMB45, and BerEP4. A diagnosis of solid variant of ACC of the eyelid was made. Wide excision was performed and eyelid defect was reconstructed.

Accessory lacrimal gland tumours of the eye region

PURPOSE

Tumours of the accessory lacrimal glands (ALGs) are rare and need to be differentiated from other tumours involving the eyelids and caruncle. We report on a consecutive series of patients with ALG tumours and describe the clinical characteristics.

METHODS

A retrospective case series including all patients who were operated for ALG tumours at two different centres.

RESULTS

The study included 27 patients diagnosed with ALG tumours. Mean age at presentation was 55.9 years (range, 24-81 years; median, 56 years). Overall, a slight male preponderance was observed (M:F = 1.4:1). Histologically, pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest diagnosis (24 of 27; 88.9%), followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (2 of 27; 7.4%) and oncocytoma (one of 27; 3.7%). A complete surgical excision was curative in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Accessory lacrimal gland (ALG) tumours are rare and may therefore pose diagnostic difficulties for clinicians. Histopathological examination of these tumours is the cornerstone of the diagnostic evaluation. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice in these tumours.

Multidisciplinary management of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the eyelid with perineural invasion

Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma of the eyelid is an extremely rare entity with the propensity to recur locally, spread to regional lymph nodes, and invade perineural spaces. Of the 8 cases previously reported in the literature, only 2 were noted to be associated with perineural invasion, and neither of these was treated with radiation therapy. The authors report the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with a progressively enlarging left lower eyelid lesion. An excisional biopsy with wide margins revealed a diagnosis of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the eyelid with perineural invasion. Because of the high risk of recurrence associated with perineural invasion, the patient received postoperative adjuvant radiation in the form of 50 Gy relative biological effectiveness of proton beam therapy to the postoperative tumor bed and to the infraorbital nerve tracking back to the apex of the orbit, followed by a 10-Gy boost to the lower eyelid tumor bed with orthovoltage x-rays.