Eyelid Tumors: Classification and Differential Diagnosis

In spite of being a small organ, the eyelids contain numerous histological elements that can be the origin of several types of benign or malignant tumors. Tumors of the eyelid may be classified, like tumors in other organs, according to their tissue or cell of origin and as benign or malignant. The most common tumors are of epidermal origin, from the eyelid skin. Other tumors arise from the adnexa, such as glands and hair follicles. Stromal eyelid tumors are rare and can originate from any of the eyelid stromal components. Knowing the characteristics of the tumor, such as location, consistency, size, color, shape, and other features, helps in the differential diagnosis and enables making the correct diagnosis, sometimes by clinical examination alone.