PURPOSE: To determine the long-term outcome of periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma and factors predictive of tumor recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective case note review of all patients with periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma treated at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom, between 1992 and 1999. Patient age at time of surgery, tumor location, and treatment were recorded. The tumor dimensions and histopathologic description were correlated with tumor recurrence. The general practitioners were contacted to determine whether there had been any further tumor recurrences since the last entry in the hospital notes. RESULTS: A total of 11 cases (mean age, 75 years) were reviewed, of which 7 were female. The eyelids were involved in all but 2 cases, and maximum tumor dimension ranged from 6 to 25 mm. Three demonstrated pagetoid spread. Recurrence was seen in all tumors reported as incompletely excised (4 cases), of which only one demonstrated pagetoid spread. Tumour size was not predictive of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our unit, the best prognostic factor for sebaceous gland carcinoma is a histologic report confirming complete excision of the tumor, whatever the tumor size or pattern of spread identified.
PURPOSE: To determine the long-term outcome of periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma and factors predictive of tumor recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective case note review of all patients with periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma treated at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom, between 1992 and 1999. Patient age at time of surgery, tumor location, and treatment were recorded. The tumor dimensions and histopathologic description were correlated with tumor recurrence. The general practitioners were contacted to determine whether there had been any further tumor recurrences since the last entry in the hospital notes. RESULTS: A total of 11 cases (mean age, 75 years) were reviewed, of which 7 were female. The eyelids were involved in all but 2 cases, and maximum tumor dimension ranged from 6 to 25 mm. Three demonstrated pagetoid spread. Recurrence was seen in all tumors reported as incompletely excised (4 cases), of which only one demonstrated pagetoid spread. Tumour size was not predictive of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our unit, the best prognostic factor for sebaceous gland carcinoma is a histologic report confirming complete excision of the tumor, whatever the tumor size or pattern of spread identified.