Pigmented Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva in a Young Nigerian Female – A case report

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (SCCC) rarely presents as a pigmented lesion. This report is on a 32-year old healthy Nigerian female who presented on account of a 6-month history of left ocular irritation with associated increase in the size of a supposed ‘birth mark’ which had been present in the left eye for 6 years. Six years prior to this she had noticed a dark patch in the left eye which had shown no changes until 6 months to the time of presentation when it started to increase in size with associated telangectasia. Examination did not reveal obvious leukoplakia. Histology showed invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. There have not been many reported cases of pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva among Nigerians. Such pigmentation might have resulted from secondary acquired melanosis. Of interest in this case is the presence of a pre-existing dark patch at the site of the lesion which could have been due to racial melanosis or conjunctiva nevus as there was no prior histological evaluation. A histological examination of some of the supposedly innocuous pigmented conjunctiva lesions was recommended. Key words : squamous cell carcinoma, conjunctiva, pigmented, Nigerian