A Peculiar Case of Cutaneous Eyelid Melanoma: Clinicopathological Questions and Therapeutic Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Primary melanoma of the eyelid is a rare malignant tumour that accounts for <1% of all malignant melanomas and about 1% of malignant tumours of the eyelid. The most common clinical presentation of melanoma is an oval lesion; linear presentation is uncommon. We presented a 79-year-old woman with a several-month history of a rapidly-growing, irregular, linear, pigmented cutaneous lesion on the right lower eyelid, involving the eyelid margin. The lesion measured 2 cm x 0,8 cm x 0,2 cm. Anterior and posterior segments appeared normal in both eyes, without pathological findings on ocular ultrasound examination. After excision biopsy, histopathological examination revealed a nodular melanoma. The case underwent additional investigations for staging and therapy. The current therapeutic strategies in eyelid melanoma include surgical excision, systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiotherapy. Despite advanced research methods in the field, the management of eyelid melanoma is still a major challenge.