Caruncular lesions in Denmark 1978-2002: a histopathological study with correlation to clinical referral diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out a retrospective clinicopathological evaluation of caruncular lesions.


METHODS
Data were collected from all surgically removed and histopathologically evaluated caruncular lesions registered by Danish pathology departments during the 25-year period 1978-2002.


RESULTS
A total of 574 caruncular lesions were identified. The number of caruncular lesions increased significantly during the 25-year period. This was due to an increase in the number of benign lesions, whereas the number of premalignant and malignant lesions remained constant. A total of 550 (96%) of the lesions were benign. Naevus (n = 248, 43%) and papilloma (n = 131, 23%) were the most common neoplasms. Premalignant lesions (n = 10, 1.7%) were dominated by primary acquired melanosis (PAM) with atypia and epithelial dysplasia. Malignant lesions constituted a total of 14 neoplasms (2.4%), with basal cell carcinoma (n = 4, 0.7%) and lymphoma (n = 4, 0.7%) being the most frequent. The preoperative clinical diagnosis was correct in 286 (50%) of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Caruncular lesions are predominately benign but the lesions are rare and diverse, making clinical diagnosis difficult. Referral of excised lesions for pathological examination is recommended.
Østergaard
Jens
J
Eye Pathology Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Prause
Jan Ulrik
JU
Heegaard
Steffen
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery