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Pronunciations blepharitis chalazion dacryocystitis dacryostenosis ectropion entropion hordeolum melanoma squamous stenosis xanthelasma

Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) growths can form on the eyelids. One of the most common types of benign tumor is xanthelasma, a yellow-white, flat growth that consists of fatty material. Because xanthelasmas may indicate elevated cholesterol levels, especially in young people, a doctor may check the person's cholesterol level by taking a blood sample. Xanthelasmas need not be removed unless their appearance becomes bothersome.

Xanthelasmas

Basal cell carcinoma (see Skin Cancers: Squamous Cell Carcinoma) is a type of skin cancer that frequently occurs at the eyelid margins, at the inner corner of the eyes, and on the upper cheeks. A doctor bases the diagnosis on the results of a biopsy (removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope). The growth is usually removed surgically.

Did You Know... A growth on the eyelid that persists for weeks should be removed and examined under a microscope (biopsied) to exclude cancer.

Although less common, squamous cell carcinoma (see Skin Cancers: Squamous Cell Carcinoma), meibomian gland carcinoma (cancer of glands in the eyelid), and melanomas (see Skin Cancers: Melanoma), all cancerous growths, can develop on the eyelid. If a growth on the eyelid does not disappear after several weeks, a doctor may perform a biopsy. The growth is usually removed surgically. Eyelid tumors sometimes mimic other eye disorders (such as blepharitis and chalazion), so a doctor usually biopsies any growths that do not respond to initial treatments.

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Eye

Ectropion

Last full review/revision November 2007 by James Garrity, MD