Periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) is a rare tumour occurring at periocular and extra-ocular sites. SGC can be a challenging diagnosis for both clinicians and pathologists. High recurrence rates and a tendency for intra-epithelial spread, locoregional and distant metastases make it important for SGC to be suspected and be included in the differential diagnosis of an eyelid lesion. Early diagnosis, that may sometimes need ancillary testing, and prompt management using a multimodal approach can help reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with SGC.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Periocular; Sebaceous gland.

Figure 1

Clinicopathological features of sebaceous gland carcinoma. Nodular form of sebaceous carcinoma involving both fornices (Fig. 1A) and pagetoid variety presenting as diffuse thickening of the eyelid (Fig. 1B). Lobules of tumour cells with central comedo necrosis (Fig. 1C, haematoxylin and eosin ×40). Tumour cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei having prominent nucleoli (Fig. 1D, haematoxylin and eosin ×400). Tumour cells showing cytoplasmic staining for adipophilin (Fig. 1E, ×400) and nuclear staining for androgen receptor (Fig. 1F, ×400).

Figure 2

Sonic hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways in sebaceous gland carcinoma..