CANCERS        Malignant Melanoma of the Eyelid

Melanoma of the eyelid is a relatively rare tumor making up less than 1% of eyelid cancers. It typically appears as a pigmented thickening (tumor) of the eyelid or extension of pigment from the conjunctiva.

Symptoms
Malignant melanoma of the eyelid is distinguished from an eyelid nevus in that it can be variably pigmented, change color, bleed and/or grow. All pigmented tumors of the eyelid should be evaluated by an eye care specialist with experience with melanoma.

Diagnosis
All pigmented eyelid tumors should be photographed for comparison with future examinations. Patients should keep a copy of their baseline photographs.

Malignant melanoma of the eyelid is distinguished from an eyelid nevus in that it can be variably pigmented, change color, bleed and/or grow. Suspicious eyelid tumors should be evaluated by biopsy. A simple wedge biopsy can be sent for pathologic evaluation to aid in the diagnosis.

Treatments
If the pathologic diagnosis is malignant melanoma of the eyelid, a medical work-up is ordered to rule out metastatic spread to other parts of the body. If there is no metastatic disease, the tumor can be surgically removed (including large margins of normal appearing tissue). At the time of surgery, some doctors will also remove regional lymph nodes near the tumor (in order to determine if the tumor has locally spread).

Facial plastic surgery techniques are usually required to repair the defect caused by tumor removal.