Description

The carcinoma sebaceous is a rare type of cancer that begins in an oil gland in the skin. The carcinoma sebaceous most often affect the eyelids.

The carcinoma sebaceous you can start as a sore lump or thickening of the skin on the eyelid. In other parts of the body, it can cause a bulge in the skin that might bleed or have a crust.

The carcinoma sebaceous treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. The carcinoma sebaceous can grow quickly and sometimes spreads to other parts of the body.

Symptoms

The symptoms of carcinoma sebaceous may vary depending on where you start. This type of cancer more common in the eyelid.

The symptoms of carcinoma cutaneous horn of the eyelid include:

  • A small, painless lump in the upper eyelid.
  • A lump that may look pink, red-brown or yellow.
  • The skin of the eyelid that becomes thicker.
  • The swelling and irritation of the eyelid.

When the sebaceous glands carcinoma occurs in other parts of the body is called extraocular carcinoma sebaceous. The symptoms of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma include:

  • A bulge in the skin.
  • A lump that can be yellow, light brown, dark brown or copper color, depending on their skin color.
  • A lump that forms in the head, neck, trunk, arm, or leg.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cause of carcinoma sebaceous often not known. This type of cancer begins as a growth of the cells in the oil-producing glands of the skin. These glands, called sebaceous glands.

The carcinoma sebaceous happens when the cells of the sebaceous gland to achieve changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes tell cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells. Cancer cells form a growth or lump on the skin.

Risk factors

Risk factors for carcinoma of the sebaceous include:

  • Weakened immune system. If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by the medicine or the disease, there may be an increased risk of carcinoma sebaceous. People with weakened immune systems include those who take medications to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Some health conditions, such as HIV infection, can also weaken the immune system.
  • The radiation therapy. People who received radiation therapy treatments for cancer may have an increased risk of carcinoma sebaceous.
  • Advanced age. The carcinoma sebaceous occurs most often in people over 60 years of age.
  • Hereditary syndromes. People with certain inherited conditions may be more likely to have carcinoma sebaceous. Examples include Lynch syndrome and Muir-Torre syndrome.

There is no way to prevent the carcinoma sebaceous.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose carcinoma sebaceous include:

  • Examination of the skin. A health care provider can carefully inspect the skin in order to understand your condition.
  • Examination of the eyes. If you have carcinoma cutaneous horn of the eyelid, you may need to see an eye doctor. Eye doctors also are called ophthalmologists. The eye doctor will carefully review your eyelid and the eye. The eye doctor looks for signs that the cancer has spread to the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of your eyes.
  • Skin biopsy. Your healthcare provider can remove a small amount of tissue for analysis. Specialized in lab tests can determine if cancer cells are present.

Treatment

The carcinoma sebaceous treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments may be options in certain situations.

Treatment options may include:

  • The surgery to remove the cancer. Your health care professional may recommend a procedure to remove the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. A specialist will examine the edges of the fabric to make sure that there is no presence of cancerous cells. This makes it more likely that all of the cancer cells are removed during surgery.
  • The Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a specialized type of surgery that involves the removal of thin layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue is left. After each layer of skin is removed, examined for signs of cancer. The process continues until there are no signs of cancer. This technique may be useful if the cancer is in a place where the surgeons want to preserve as much healthy skin as possible. Examples include the eyelids and face.
  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain. Radiation therapy may be used alone if surgery is not an option.
  • Clinical trials. Clinical trials to test new treatments may be an option. Ask your health care professional if you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your doctor thinks you might have carcinoma, sebaceous, that person can refer you to a specialist. Often this is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the skin, it is called a dermatologist.

Appointments can be brief, and being prepared can help. Here is some information that can help you prepare.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Its symptoms, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For carcinoma of the sebaceous, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • Do I have cancer?
  • I need more tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the potential risks of these treatment options?
  • Do any of the treatments to cure my cancer?
  • I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • How much time can I take to consider my options for treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
  • What would happen if I chose not to have treatment?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of carcinoma of the Sebaceous glands