Eyelid Cancer Specialist
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Rand Rodgers, MD
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon
Eyelid cancer accounts for about 5-10% of all skin cancers. Early detection and treatment is the best way to improve your outcome. At his private practice with locations in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Great Neck, and New Rochelle, New York, ophthalmic plastic surgeon Rand Rodgers, MD, can remove cancerous lesions and performs eyelid reconstruction to improve the appearance of your eyelids after treatment. At the first sign of eyelid cancer, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodgers by phone or online today.
Eyelid Cancer Q&A
What is eyelid cancer?
Eyelid cancer is cancer of the very thin layer of skin that covers your eyes. It’s a common place for skin cancer to develop due to sun exposure. About 5% of eyelid cancers are squamous cell skin cancer, and 90% are basal cell carcinoma, which are both highly treatable cancers.
The other rarer types of eyelid cancer include merkel cell carcinoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. See Dr. Rodgers and his team at the first sign of changes in the appearance of your eyelids.
What are the symptoms of eyelid cancer?
Common signs and symptoms associated with eyelid cancer include:
- Loss of eyelashes
- A sore or lump that bleeds, scabs, or crusts
- A bump that’s pearly, waxy, shiny, firm, or smooth
- A red lump on your eyelids
- A flat brown or flesh-colored lesion
- A rough brown or scaly red patch
- A non-healing stye
- A tender or itchy flat spot
- A scaly, crusted surface
- A spreading black, brown, or red eyelid growth
- Chronic eyelid infections
- A thick or swollen eyelid
You might not experience symptoms with eyelid cancer in its early stage. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment help prevent serious complications.
What are the risk factors for eyelid cancer?
Anybody can develop eyelid cancer, but some factors boost your risk. Examples include excessive sun exposure, older age, light-colored eyes, fair skin, previous skin cancer, taking certain medicines, and a weak immune system. Eyelid cancer prevention includes wearing hats or sunglasses while outdoors or using eye products containing sun protection factor (SPF).
How is eyelid cancer diagnosed?
To find out if you have eyelid cancer, Dr. Rodgers reviews your symptoms and medical history. He examines your eyelid and often uses a surgical biopsy to diagnose your condition. If he thinks the cancer has spread, Dr. Rodgers might recommend additional diagnostic procedures like CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, or lymph node biopsy.
How is eyelid cancer treated?
The eyelid cancer treatment you require depends on the type of cancer you have and its severity. Dr. Rodgers can surgically remove eyelid tumors and a small amount of skin around them in thin layers to decrease the rate of recurrence. Your personalized treatment might also include cryotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
When you are cancer-free, Dr. Rodgers can perform eyelid reconstruction to create an aesthetically pleasing, natural-looking eyelid that functions just like the original one. He uses advanced surgical technology and techniques to give you the best outcome and a result you feel confident about.
Don’t let eyelid cancer go undetected and untreated. At the first sign of changes in the appearance of your eyelid, schedule an appointment with Rand Rodgers, MD, by phone or online today.
