Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva
W. J. Glasson, L. W. Hirst, R. A. Axelsen and M. Moon
Department of Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland.
A 73-year-old man had been treated for a sore, red, left eye for 4 months
before a clinical diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the limbus was
made. This diagnosis was confirmed on examination of a biopsy specimen, but
after an initial surgical attempt to fully excise the tumor, there was
clinical evidence of intraocular spread. An extensive corneoscleral
resection and iridocyclectomy appeared to completely excise the tumor, as
indicated by frozen section review. However, 1 year later, the patient
re-presented with obvious residual squamous cell carcinoma of the iris and
trabecular meshwork, well away from the original tumor site. Subsequent
exenteration has resulted in a tumor-free patient for 1 year. Apparent
surgical clearance of an extensive squamous cell carcinoma does not ensure
total intraocular clearance of residual tumor, which may be remote from the
original tumor site.
