Learning about Eyelid Cancer
- Kimberly King was told by doctors for years that the red spot on her eyelid was nothing to worry about. But after visiting a new doctor once her eyelashes started falling out, she finally discovered that she had eyelid cancer.
- King’s eyelid cancer is a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma the most common type of eyelid cancer which usually appears in the lower lid and occurs most often in individuals with fair or pale skin.
- People with eyelid cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs: a change in appearance of the eyelid skin, swelling of the eyelid, thickening of the eyelid, chronic infection of the eyelid, an ulceration (area where skin is broken) on the eyelid that does not heal or a spreading, colored mass on the eyelid.
The Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning reporter for the ABC affiliate in Asheville, North Carolina (WLOS) started going to her doctor with problems on her let lower eye in 2015. But that doctor thought a clogged oil gland was to blame for the red bump on her eyelid and prescribed warm compresses and gentle lid scrubs for treatment.
Read More“I had a biopsy seven days ago, thanks to a very smart doctor here in Asheville, who took one look at me right away and knew that it was cancer,” King said in a recent video post to Instagram.View this post on Instagram
For Dr. Cho, it was her lashes that really tipped her off to the skin cancer diagnosis that was confirmed by a biopsy: basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid.
“It was the lash loss that made me more concerned,” Dr. Choe told WLOS.
For treatment, King will undergo an operation called Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a microscopically-controlled surgery where thin layers of skin cancer tissue are removed until the surgeon reaches clear tissue in order to hopefully ensure that all the cancer is removed.
Mohs Surgery Removes Skin Cancer With Smaller Incisions and More Certainty
"You're able to remove a very conservative margin around the cancer and study it in essentially real-time," Dr. Sumaira Aasi, a Professor of Dermatology and Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford, previously told SurvivorNet. "And we continue to repeat the process until the cancer is out."
Following the surgery, she’ll undergo reconstruction. But it’s unclear what that will look like since King won’t know the extent of how much of her lower lid will have to be removed until the upcoming surgery.
“Every millimeter counts when it comes to the eyelid,” Dr. Choe said. “Sometimes, what's at the surface is just sort of the tip of the iceberg.”
Taking things days by day, King is also making sure she spends times sharing her journey with followers in the hopes that it can educate other people about eyelid cancer.
“They always say we’re going to beat cancer I don’t look at it that way,” she said in her Instagram. “I think about it as I’ve got to deal with this because I want to live. I don’t think this is going to kill me, but I want to deal with it.
Understanding Eyelid Cancer
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, eyelid cancer is a general term for a cancer that occurs on or in the eyelid.
People with eyelid cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs:
- A change in appearance of the eyelid skin
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Thickening of the eyelid
- Chronic infection of the eyelid
- An ulceration (area where skin is broken) on the eyelid that does not heal
- A spreading, colored mass on the eyelid
Sometimes people with eyelid cancer do not show any of these symptoms, and these symptoms can also be signs of other medical conditions. Regardless, you should always speak with a doctor if you a change to your health.
The following risk factors can raise a person’s risk of developing eyelid cancer:
- Exposure to UV radiation. Sunlight includes both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. UVB radiation produces sunburn and plays a role in the development of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. UVA radiation penetrates the skin more deeply, causing photoaging or wrinkling. The role of UVA radiation in the development of non-melanoma eyelid cancer is suspected, but not certain. People who live in areas with year-round, bright sunlight have a higher risk of developing an eyelid cancer. So do people who spend significant time outside or on a tanning bed, which produces mostly UVA radiation.
- Fair skin. Less melanin (pigment) in skin offers less protection against UV radiation. People with light hair and light-colored eyes who have skin that doesn't tan, but instead freckles or burns easily, are more likely to develop eyelid cancer.
- Gender. Rates of skin cancer in white men have increased in recent years.
- Age. Most basal and squamous cell cancers appear after age 50.
- A history of sunburns or fragile skin. Skin that has been burned, sunburned, or injured from disease is at higher risk for eyelid cancer. Squamous cell and basal cell cancers more often occur with repeated, long-term exposure to the sun. Melanoma more often occurs with short-term intense exposure to sun.
- Individual history. People with weakened immune systems or those who use certain medications are at higher risk for developing squamous cell and basal cell cancers. People with rare, predisposing genetic conditions such as xeroderma pigmentosum, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, or albinism are at much higher risk for eyelid cancer.
- Previous skin cancer. People who have had any form of skin cancer are at higher risk for developing another skin cancer. For instance, about 35% to 50% of people diagnosed with one basal cell cancer will develop a new cancer within five years.
- Precancerous skin conditions. Two types of lesions may be related to the development of squamous cell cancer in some people. Actinic keratoses is characterized by rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. Bowen’s disease is characterized by bright red or pink, scaly patches located on previously or presently sun-exposed skin. Bowen’s disease in areas not exposed to the sun may be related to arsenic exposure.
What Type of Eyelid Cancer Does Kimberly King Have?
Kimberly King’s eyelid cancer is a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma the most common type of eyelid cancer which usually appears in the lower lid and occurs most often in individuals with fair or pale skin.
One distinguishing factor of this type of skin cancer is that it tends to grow more slowly resulting in minimal damage and making it generally curable when caught and treated early.
The tricky thing, however, is that BCC can often be overlooked as a pimple or skin tag. They may appear as raised areas on the skin with pale, pink or red-ish colors, and they may also have abnormal blood vessels. No matter what, if you have a spot on your skin that seems abnormal or questionable, you should consult your doctor because BCC can look very different from person to person.
Generally speaking, BCC occurs when DNA damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning triggers changes in basal cells. Because it most often develops on areas of the skin that are exposed to sun, it's crucial to protect yourself from the sun in any way that you can.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about how to best reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are her top five ways to try to avoid the disease:
- Avoid sun during peak hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of our heads, the tops of our ears and the delicate area around the eye.
- Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen and make sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
- Have yearly skin checks (with a professional) because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body.
- Avoid tanning beds. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer.
And though we’re nearing the colder winter months, it's important to remember that you are, in fact, at risk of developing skin cancer all year round.
"My patients ask me all the time, 'Do I really need sunscreen every day, all year round?' The answer is yes," Dr. Engelman previously told SurvivorNet. "People think they only need sun protection when they're in the bright, warm sunshine. But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year, even in the cold, wintry months. Think about when you go skiing. That's a very high risk. Even though it's cold, our skin should be protected."
It’s important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits no matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer.
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