Malignant melanoma of the eyelid. A report of eight cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Because of the relatively rare occurrence of malignant melanoma (MM) of the eyelid, prognostic factors in relation to survival in these patients have not been established.

Objective: Our purpose was to examine prognostic indicators in relation to survival in patients with MM of the eyelid.

Methods: All patients seen at UCLA Medical Center with MM of the eyelid as well as all cases reported in the literature were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: The data obtained from 47 total cases seen at UCLA Medical Center revealed a significant disadvantage in 5-year survival for those patients with MM involving the lid margins in comparison to those without lid margin involvement.

Conclusion: Our review suggests that melanoma involving the eyelid margin and conjunctiva has a worse prognosis than melanomas of the eyelid that do not involve the conjunctiva. We can make no predictions in regard to the benefits of narrow versus wide surgical margins in the treatment of these patients.