Predictors of Local Recurrence for Eyelid Sebaceous Carcinoma: Questionable Value of Routine Conjunctival Map Biopsies for Detection of Pagetoid Spread

PURPOSE: To identify clinicopathologic factors associated with local recurrence of eyelid sebaceous carcinoma and determine whether routine conjunctival map biopsies are necessary to detect pagetoid spread. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed for articles on eyelid sebaceous carcinoma and pagetoid spread published in English during 1982 to 2018, and they reviewed 99 consecutive patients with eyelid sebaceous carcinoma who underwent surgical excision with frozen section control of margins performed by 1 author (BE) during 1999 to 2017. RESULTS: Local recurrence rates after surgery were 5% to 25% in the literature and 6% in the authors' cohort. Risk factors for local recurrence included T3b (>20 mm) or worse disease according to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, eighth edition, pagetoid spread, diffuse growth pattern, and multicentric origin. Pagetoid spread was observed in 8.3% to 70% of patients in the literature and 31% of patients in the authors' cohort. The literature review showed that surgical excision with frozen section control is the mainstay of management of eyelid sebaceous carcinoma, with topical chemotherapy and cryotherapy used in cases with pagetoid spread. The authors found no solid evidence for added value from routine 4-quadrant conjunctival map biopsies, and some studies called into question their accuracy and yield. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with eyelid sebaceous carcinoma, meticulous microscopic margin control is appropriate in all cases and particularly for tumors >20 mm and adjuvant topical chemotherapy should be considered for tumors with conjunctival pagetoid spread. Routine conjunctival map biopsies are not essential, but targeted map biopsies of areas with signs suggestive of pagetoid intraepithelial spread may be appropriate to guide future closer observation or adjuvant treatments.