Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Malignant Eyelid Tumors: A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about malignant eyelid tumors in the region of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it shows similar results comparing with other countries (the annual incidence of eyelid tumors in Tuzla region is about 3.73/100 000 population). Malignant eyelid tumors are relatively uncommon, but potentially fatal disease. However, if detected early and treated adequately, the prognosis is generally excellent. AIM: The aim of this study was the clinical and microscopical analysis of malignant eyelid tumors in treated patients, the presentation of surgical treatment and reconstructive methods of eyelid tumors. METHODS: This retrospective study included 60 patients surgically treated at the University Clinical Center Tuzla from January 2012 to December 2016, who were initially diagnosed with malignant eyelid tumors in accordance to the final results obtained by histological examination of excised lesions. RESULTS: In the group of malignant tumors, the most common tumors were BCC (85%), which were predominantly found on the lower eyelids (92.16%) and showed female predominance (51.06%). SCC was the second most common eyelid malignancy (15%) and showed a predilection for the lower eyelid involvement and male predominance (55.56%). Tumors up to 2 cm in diameter (clinical stage T1) were found in 78.33% of cases, 95.74% of which with radical excision, while 4.26% with non-radical excision. CONCLUSION: Treatment by complete excision with histological confirmation of tumor clearance is recommended. Perineural spread is an adverse prognostic sign, which may require postoperative radiotherapy. Orbital invasion is a rare complication but, if recognized early, it can be treated effectively with exenteration. Because presentation varies and histological examination is required for accurate diagnosis, any suspicious lesion occurring on the eyelids should be excised or biopsied. All patients with malignant tumors should be advised of the risk of recurrent or new tumors and encouraged to attend lifelong follow up.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF OCULAR MELANOMA IN UNIVERSITY CLINIC CENTER IN TUZLA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA.

AIM: Melanoma represents a malignant tumour arising from melanocytes. Uveal melanoma is the most common primary ocular malignancy among the adult population. The aim of the study was to examine epidemiological characteristics of ocular melanoma in University Clinic Centre in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina from January 2001 till November 2015. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this retrospective study we used all available medical documentation to investigate the clinical findings which included age, gender, tumour size, histopathological features and the precise anatomic origin of the ocular melanoma. RESULTS: Over the 14 year period of this study, there were 32 patients with microscopically confirmed ocular melanoma at the Department of Pathology. All malignant melanoma were uveal origin. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: For early detection of the disease, regular checkups are necessary, especially in older population. As there is a limited number of reports on the epidemiology of malignant tumors of eye and ocular adnex in our region, this is very important study. We conclude that this is a first study in Bosnia and Herzegovina that document the number of uveal melanomas.