INVASIVE SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE CONJUNCTIVA

A 73-year-old man had been treated for a sore, red, left eye for 4 mon ths before a clinical diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the limb us was made. This diagnosis was confirmed on examination of a biopsy s pecimen, but after an initial surgical attempt to fully excise the tum or, there was clinical evidence of intraocular spread. An extensive co rneoscleral resection and iridocyclectomy appeared to completely excis e the tumor, as indicated by frozen section review. However, 1 year la ter, the patient re-presented with obvious residual squamous cell carc inoma of the iris and trabecular meshwork, well away from the original tumor site. Subsequent exenteration has resulted in a tumor-free pati ent for 1 year. Apparent surgical clearance of an extensive squamous c ell carcinoma does not ensure total intraocular clearance of residual tumor, which may be remote from the original tumor site.