Intraepithelial Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Case Series.

Purpose: Intraepithelial sebaceous gland carcinoma is a rare form of sebaceous gland carcinoma, with 10 published case reports to date. The authors report the clinical, histological, and prognostic features of this rare carcinoma.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective case series of patients from 3 Australian sites. Information collected included patient demographics, clinical risk factors, initial and subsequent presentations, histology results, management, and outcomes.

Results: Twelve cases were identified. The average age of presentation was 72 years (range 52-92 years), with more females (n = 8) affected than males. The most common symptoms and signs were ocular irritation (n = 9) and eyelid mass (n = 8), with a predilection toward upper lid involvement. Five cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma were confirmed on initial histology. Initial management included wide local excision with margin control (n = 11), and primary topical mitomycin C (n = 1). Adjunctive conjunctival mapping biopsy was performed in 5 cases. Recurrence occurred in 7 cases, at an average of 31 months (range 7-83 months) after initial treatment. There were no cases of distant metastasis, however, 2 cases developed local invasion. Management of recurrences included exenteration (n = 2), further excisions alone (n = 3), and excision with adjuvant mitomycin C (n = 2).

Conclusions: Clinicians and pathologists should have a high index of suspicion for primary intraepithelial sebaceous gland carcinoma on the upper eyelid. Close follow-up is recommended, given the high risk of local recurrence.