Benign or malignant? Clinical features

Abstract

Despite the fact that the majority of eyelid tumours are benign, proper management in daily practice requires to detect the malignant ones. A few clinical behaviour criteria are usually examined to support the hypothesis of a malignancy, e.g. the rate of growth, associated inflammation or pigmentation, a cystic structure, ulceration, madarosis, etc. However most are of limited reliability. The course will review the most typical presentation scenarios of common eyelid tumours. In any case of doubt, biopsy is recommended, which is readily done in the outpatient setting, in order to reach a pathologic diagnosis, and draw the appropriate management plan.