Tumors on the Eyelid or Nearby Structures

Treatment and Procedures

Cancer of the eyelids is very dangerous and needs to be treated urgently. The following are types of skin cancer known to affect the eyelids and skin:

Basal cell carcinoma – The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma can present itself as a white or red bump or nodule
Squamous cell carcinoma – It often presents itself as an scaly lesion
Sebaceous cell carcinoma – It can be very aggressive with metastasis occurring early in the course of the disease
Melanoma – Least common but most deadly among all forms of skin and eyelid cancers, melanoma often presents itself as a growing, changing, irregularly colored splotch on the skin or the eyelid.
To diagnose skin cancer, Dr. Hurley will take a biopsy of the suspected lesion for examination under the microscope by a pathologist. If the biopsy confirms the lesion to be cancerous, further treatment will be needed.

One of the most successful methods for skin cancer removal is Mohs’ surgery. Mohs’ surgery involves the removal of skin cancer, layer by layer. After each layer is removed, the section of skin is biopsied to identify the cancer’s location – enabling the physician to preserve as much healthy skin as possible in the next layer. This process is repeated until all of the skin cancer has been removed. This part of the surgery is performed by a dermatologist Moh’s surgeon.

On the same or subsequent day, Dr. Hurley performs the reconstructive surgery to restore your normal appearance following the removal of skin cancer lesions from the face or the eyelids.