Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in the anophthalmic socket.
OBJECTIVE
To describe 2 patients in whom squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva developed in the anophthalmic socket more than 44 years after enucleation and chronic use of an ocular prosthesis.


METHODS
Retrospective case reports.


RESULTS
These 2 patients did not have known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma, including solar ultraviolet radiation or exposure (since they wore their prosthesis full-time), HIV infection, chronic orbital inflammatory disease, or immune-compromising systemic disease. Both patients had an orbital exenteration and underwent a full work-up including evaluation of the regional lymph nodes and systemic work-up to rule out distant metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anophthalmic socket can develop many years after enucleation. Regular inspection of the anophthalmic socket containing a prosthesis to rule out conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma is prudent.
Nguyen
John
J
Section of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Ivan
Doina
D
Esmaeli
Bita
B
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000293:injuries; D020273:Orbital Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies