Survey of Ophthalmology
Volume 49, Issue 1 , Pages 3-24, January 2004

Tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea

Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract 

Tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea comprise a large and varied spectrum of conditions. These tumors are grouped into two major categories of congenital and acquired lesions. The acquired lesions are further subdivided based on origin of the mass into surface epithelial, melanocytic, vascular, fibrous, neural, histiocytic, myxoid, myogenic, lipomatous, lymphoid, leukemic, metastatic and secondary tumors. Melanocytic lesions include nevus, racial melanosis, primary acquired melanosis, melanoma, and other ocular surface conditions like ocular melanocytosis and secondary pigmentary deposition. The most frequent nonmelanocytic neoplastic lesions include squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma, both of which have typical features appreciated on clinical examination. The caruncle displays a slightly different array of tumors compared to those elsewhere on the conjunctiva, as nevus and papilloma are most common, but oncocytoma and sebaceous gland hyperplasia, adenoma, and carcinoma can be found. In this report, we provide clinical description and illustration of the many conjunctival and corneal tumors and we discuss tumor management.

Keywords:  conjunctiva, cornea, melanoma, tumor

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Supported by the Eye Tumor Research Foundation, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. The authors reported no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article.

PII: S0039-6257(03)00130-9

doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.008

Survey of Ophthalmology
Volume 49, Issue 1 , Pages 3-24, January 2004