Primary Cribriform Carcinoma of the Eyelid With Neuroendocrine Features: A Case Report

A variety of tumors may involve the eyelid, most of which are primary, but rarely can be metastatic. Previously reported eyelid primary carcinomas with neuroendocrine features include Merkel cell carcinoma, apocrine and eccrine gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma, and one report of primary “well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor.” Herein we report the first case of primary cribriform carcinoma of the eyelid with neuroendocrine features. The patient is a 75-year-old black man who presented to the clinic with a 5-year history of a slowly growing, non-painful, non-exudative lesion of his left lower eyelid. Examination disclosed a non-tender 8 mm by 9 mm ovoid, firm, euchromic subdermal non-adherent nodule involving the left lower eyelid with no madarosis or loss of lid margin architecture, but with overlying induration. An incisional biopsy demonstrated nodules and aggregates of tumor composed of cuboidal hyperchromatic basoloid cells with occasional mitotic figures within sheets in a mostly cribriform and occasionally papillary pattern. The tumor was diffusely positive for cytokeratin, Epithelial Membrane Antigen, and p40 and focally positive for synaptophysin. The tumor was negative with antibodies for Cytokeratin 20 (CK20), p63, CD10, Thyroid Transcription Factor-1, Cytokeratin 7, Prostate Specific Antigen, and Epithelial Specific Antigen. Oncologic evaluation was negative for metastases. The patient underwent a complete excision of his eyelid tumor with 5 mm margins using Mohs surgery, with subsequent reconstruction using a Hughes tarsoconjunctival flap, myocutaneous advancement flap, and lateral canthal tendon plication.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(2):173-174.