Sebaceous Carcinoma: Masquerade Syndrome

Abstract

Sebaceous carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the sebaceous glands, which is most often found in the periocular region. Periocular sebaceous carcinoma is frequently found arising from the meibomian glands within the tarsus, especially on the upper eyelid. Other ocular sites include the caruncle, Zeiss glands, eyebrow, and conjunctiva. The most common presentation of periocular sebaceous carcinoma is a fixed, non-painful eyelid nodule. Diagnosis of sebaceous carcinoma requires biopsy and histopathological examination. Given the neoplasm’s ability to undergo subclinical pagetoid spread, conjunctival map biopsies are recommended to help guide treatment of sebaceous carcinoma. The mainstay of treatment for sebaceous carcinoma is surgical excision of the primary lesion. Both wide local excision and Mohs micrographic surgery have been successfully employed for surgical management of the ocular neoplasm. This chapter takes an in-depth look at ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma including its epidemiology, pathogenesis, origins, clinical presentation, differential diagnoses, histology, diagnosis, management strategies, and prognosis.KeywordsSebaceous carcinomaMasquerade syndromeMuir-Torre syndromeBlepharitisPeriocular tumorsAdnexal tumors