Rare eyelid cancer removed with reconstructive surgery, no recurrence after four months

Why it matters

Eccrine porocarcinoma (a rare cancer that arises from sweat‑gland cells) of the eyelid is extremely uncommon, with only eight cases reported in the medical literature and most of those involving Caucasian patients. Because the eyelid protects the eye and helps it close, any malignant growth in this area can threaten vision, cause disfigurement, and spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Understanding how to treat such tumors safely is therefore important for anyone who might develop an eye‑related cancer.

“A 58‑year‑old non‑Caucasian man presented with a recurrent mass on his left upper eyelid that had persisted for one year despite two earlier mass‑removal surgeries.”What the study found

What the study found

A 58‑year‑old non‑Caucasian man presented with a recurrent mass on his left upper eyelid that had persisted for one year despite two earlier mass‑removal surgeries. He underwent a full‑thickness excision (removal of the entire depth of the eyelid tissue) that sacrificed a lateral canthal defect (a missing piece of tissue at the outer corner of the eye) and superior palpebral involvement (upper‑eyelid tissue). Reconstruction used a periosteal flap (a piece of tissue taken from the bone‑covering periosteum) harvested from the lateral orbital rim (the outer edge of the eye socket) and attached to the intact tarsal plate (the stiff cartilage‑like structure that gives the eyelid its shape). Histopathology (microscopic tissue examination) confirmed eccrine porocarcinoma, and the patient was advised to receive chemotherapy (drug treatment that kills cancer cells). One month after surgery the eyelid looked normal and functioned well, and at a four‑month follow‑up there was no sign of recurrence (return of the tumor) or metastasis.

What it means for people

The case adds a valuable data point for clinicians treating rare eyelid cancers, especially in non‑Caucasian patients, by showing that wide excision (removal of the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue) combined with a periosteal flap can achieve good cosmetic and functional results while preventing early recurrence. Patients benefit from a clearer treatment pathway, and researchers gain insight that may improve future management of similar malignant eyelid tumors.