FP856 : Suspect malignancy in recurrent chalazion :A classical example

Dr.Jyoti Deswal, D17716

Here we present a case which was misdiagnosed and treated like chalazion for months and years and finally reported to us with recurrence of upper eyelid mass with erosion and ulceration along with gross ocular distortion. The mass was treated surgically with wide excision biopsy along with lid reconstruction by Cutler Beard technique in two stages. HPE revealed it to be meibomian gland carcinoma. On follow-up, there was complete structural and functional recovery of the lid. Meibomian gland carcinoma is a very rare malignancy. Because of its slow growing nature and a delay in diagnosis, attributed primarily to its ability to masquerade as multiple benign conditions like chalazion, papilloma, blepharoconjunctivitis and keratoacanthoma, etc., treating this tumour is a major therapeutic challenge leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates.We have to be very cautious in treating cases of recurrent blepharoconjunctivitis or chalazion not responding to treatment.