Eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma in a young Caucasian man.

BACKGROUND

Eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma is rarely observed in young Caucasian men.

HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 28-year-old man was referred for a recurring chalazion of the eyelid that had been operated four times in the past two years. The chalazion-like lesion of the external third of the upper left eyelid was associated with a cystic lesion. Cytology of the fluid in the cyst and histology of the lesion were compatible with a sebaceous cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the cystic lesion associated with the eyelid tumour was extending into the orbit.

THERAPY AND OUTCOME: According to current clinical practice and experience, to increase the chance of survival of the patient, an orbital exenteration was conducted to remove the sebaceous cell carcinoma in total.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, one should be aware that an eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma can occur in a young Caucasian man and this diagnosis should be evoked in case of a recurrent chalazion.