Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of eyelid sebaceous carcinoma

Sebaceous carcinoma of the ocular adnexa is a malignant neoplasm which can exhibit aggressive local behavior and can metastasize to regional lymph nodes and distant organs. The neoplasm is known to masquerade as other benign and less malignant lesions, resulting in delay in diagnosis and relative high morbidity and mortality. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of recurrent upper eyelid nodules treated elsewhere as chalazion was done. Cytological smears were suggestive of malignancy. Subsequently histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of sebaceous gland carcinoma. Eyelid reconstruction was done after histopathologically confirmed tumor-free margins. The article highlights the role of FNAC in early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate surgical management of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma to prevent recurrence and metastasis.