Microscopic features and biologic behavior of eyelid tumors.

A review of some of the more important microscopic and biologic characteristics of the most common malignant eyelid neoplasms is presented. These are: intraepithelial spread, subepithelial spread, multicentric origination, dermal or stromal involvement. Also presented are factors influencing local recurrence, local invasion, metastasis, and mortality. It is emphasized that an eyelid tumor may not be clinically defined by visual means as to its extent of invasion. The above characteristics must be identified and considered in the course of treatment of these lesions and must be brought to mind when evaluating forms of therapy for eyelid neoplasms which rely primarily on clinical means to determine the extent of tissue involvement.