Breast carcinoma metastatic to the eyelid presenting as the first sign of insufficient chemotherapy.

Metastatic eyelid tumors are uncommon. Their presentation may vary markedly. We describe a 61-year-old female who presented with a tender nodule in her right upper eyelid shortly after chemotherapy for metastatic disease. She had undergone right mastectomy and radiotherapy because of an adenocarcinoma 16 years ago. Histopathologic findings were consistent with metastatic carcinoma. Knowledge of the diverse clinical and histopathologic features of metastatic breast carcinoma to the eyelids is essential for the appropriate management of these patients. Breast carcinoma metastatic to the eyelid represented in this patient the only sign of insufficient chemotherapy. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.