Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in the anophthalmic socket

PURPOSE: To describe 2 patients in whom squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva developed in the anophthalmic socket more than 44 years after enucleation and chronic use of an ocular prosthesis. METHODS: Retrospective case reports. RESULTS: These 2 patients did not have known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma, including solar ultraviolet radiation or exposure (since they wore their prosthesis full-time), HIV infection, chronic orbital inflammatory disease, or immune-compromising systemic disease. Both patients had an orbital exenteration and underwent a full work-up including evaluation of the regional lymph nodes and systemic work-up to rule out distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anophthalmic socket can develop many years after enucleation. Regular inspection of the anophthalmic socket containing a prosthesis to rule out conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma is prudent.