Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva
J. W. Gamel, R. A. Eiferman and P. Guibor
A 73-year-old man had a limbal nodule that, on histopathologic examination,
proved to be mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Despite radiation
therapy and extensive corneoscleral lamellar resection, widespread invasion
of the lids and orbit ultimately led to exenteration. Although
mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva resembles squamous cell
carcinoma clinically and histopathologically, it pursues a more rapid and
destructive clinical course. Intraepithelial invasion often leads to tumor
involvement of conjunctiva and skin that seem normal on clinical
examination. Special stains and a high level of suspicion are required for
diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva, and proper
initial management demands more aggressive surgical resection than is
usually indicated for squamous cell carcinoma.
