Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Skin with Orbital Invasion

Primary mucinous carcinoma, believed to arise from cutaneous apocrine sweat glands [1], is a very rare cutaneous tumor, estimated to represent one case every 150 000 cutaneous lesions [2]. In a review of the Danish cancer registry from 1978–2003, only fifteen cases were identified with an incidence of 0.07 cases per million [3]. This tumor appears to have a predilection for the face and the eyelids are most commonly involved in 30–40 % of the cases [4]. Primary mucinous carcinoma manifests a high recurrence rate, but metastases are rare. Involvement of both the upper and lower lids at presentation, as well as concomitant orbital extension has very rarely been documented [5].

We report an extensive primary mucinous carcinoma involving both lower and upper eyelids with orbital extension and invasion of the lacrimal gland. The extensive nature of this tumor ultimately led to an exenteration.

• References

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