CANCER OF THE EYELIDS

Cancer of the eyelids may properly be considered as a subtype of cancer of the skin of the face. Its special significance lies in the fact that, unlike other cancers of the skin, it is particularly likely to result in serious impairment of a vital function, namely, that of vision. Such impairment may result either from direct invasion of the eye by the disease or from the effects of treatment by any method employed in an attempt to eradicate the growth completely. In the general group of tumors of the skin, cancer of the eyelids is therefore one of the most important from the standpoint of treatment. DEFINITION As anatomic structures, the eyelids do not possess well defined limits or boundaries. Lesions which arise on the skin between the upper and the lower orbital margin and those which in early stages involve either canthus definitely come within the classification of