Abstract
Purpose In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) and its association with the clinicopathologic features. Methods One hundred and thirty paraffin-embedded SGC specimens were retrieved from the Clinical Pathology Department of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) was detected with in situ hybridization (ISH) using the Leica BOND system autostainer. The age and gender distributions of all patients were analyzed and compared with earlier reports. Pearson's χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the association between clinicopathological features such as age, gender, laterality eye, tumor basal dimension, degree of tumor differentiation, and EBER positivity. Likewise, the relationship between the grade and tumor basal dimension in EBER-positive SGC of the eyelid was analyzed. Results Thirty-four out of one hundred and thirty (26.2%) eyelid SGC specimens were positively stained for EBER. The age range of highest incidence was 46–75 years, and the female to male ratio was 1 : 0.9. No significant correlation was found between EBER-positivity and age (p = 0.5370), gender (p = 0.4758), and degree of tumor differentiation (p = 0.7787). However, EBV positivity was strongly correlated with the right eye (p = 0.0287), the tumor basal dimension (p = 0.0001). EBV positivity grade presented statistically associated with tumor size (p = 0.0329). Conclusion We conclude that ISH is a sensitive method to identify EBV in SGC of the eyelid. A possible causal association of EBV in SGC patients is suggested by high frequency of EBER-ISH positivity and its association with the clinicopathologic features.
Highlights
Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid is the second most common malignant tumor among all eyelid malignancies after basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
A total of 130 patients with SGC of the eyelid were divided into different age groups. e age and gender distributions are presented in Table 1. e age of patients ranged from 28 to 81 years, with a mean age of 57.9 years
Eyelid SGC is slow-growing but a highly invasive and malignant cancer of the eyelid [14]. is neoplasm always masquerades itself as chalazion, chronic conjunctivitis, or other tumors, resulting in delays in diagnosis and subsequent morbidity and mortality [15, 16]
Summary
Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid is the second most common malignant tumor among all eyelid malignancies after basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It arises from the eyelashes (i.e., glands of Zeis) or the tarsal plate (i.e., meibomian glands) and usually occurs in females older than 50 years of age [1, 2]. Previous studies have defined the risk factors for SGC of the eyelid to be pathogenically related and to include exposure to irradiation, immunosuppression, and the use of diuretics [3]. A study aiming to identify additional risk factors has reported a possible viral etiology. Virus infection has not been much considered for SGC of the eyelid
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
