Eyelid tumors in children: a clinicopathologic study of a 10-year review in southern Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of eyelid tumors in children in southern Taiwan.

METHODS

Patients younger than 17 years old with histologically confirmed eyelid tumors treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Kaohsiung) during 1991-2000 were subjected to a retrospective analysis. Patients with inflammation, granulation, hordeolum, chalazion and orbital or conjunctival extension were excluded.

RESULTS

Totally, 78 patients (46 boys and 31 girls) with eyelid tumors were included. The 4 most common tumors, in order of frequency, were epidermal cysts (23.1%), dermoid cysts (17.9%), squamous cell papillomas (11.5%), and compound nevi (9%). Recurrence was noted in only 1 case (of a ductal cyst) after surgical excision during the 3-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Epithelial tumors and dermoid cysts are the most common eyelid tumors of children in southern Taiwan. Surgical excision produced good results. Malignant eyelid tumors are rare in children.