Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma of the eyelid

PURPOSE: To report a case of primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma inv olving the eyelid. METHODS: We examined a 70-year-old woman with an 18-month history of a grad ually enlarging, blue-colored mass in the medial third of the right upper e yelid. Excisional biopsy and additional resection of the medially infiltrat ed margin resulted in tumor-free edges. Superior cervical and orbital evalu ations were performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation revealed a primary cutaneous adenoid cy stic carcinoma. No gland pathology was documented. No tumor recurrence has been noted. CONCLUSION: Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma, an uncommon tumor o f the skin, should be added to the differential diagnosis of eyelid tumors. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131:281-283. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All r ights reserved).