Bilateral primary mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid treated with Mohs surgery

BACKGROUND. Primary mucinous carcinoma is an uncommon malignant cutaneous t umor which arises most commonly on the eyelid. While rarely causing death, recurrence following primary excision is common and widespread metastasis m ay occur. OBJECTIVE. We report the first case of bilateral primary mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid. METHODS. A lesion of the left lower eyelid had been resected three times pr eviously with positive conventional margins. Both this lesion and a second primary lesion of the contralateral lower lid were removed with Mohs micros copically controlled excision without recurrence for more than 2 years. CONCLUSION. Multiple lesions of mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid do not nec essarily connote metastasis. Mohs microscopically controlled excision may b e a suitable form of therapy for primary mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid.