Purpose:
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. It appears more frequently in the elderly, it is more aggressive than squamous cell carcinoma, and it has a higher recurrence rate and higher incidence of intraocular and orbital invasion.
Methods:
We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department with a one month history of painful red left eye.
Results:
The patient presented with visual acuity was 10/10 in both eyes and a conjunctiva tumor on the bulbar conjunctiva of left eye. The UBM revealed a thickening of the conjunctiva-sclera complex with no signs of intraocular invasion. A biopsy was performed and the diagnosis was of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Two local excisions with adjuvant cryotherapy and mitomycin C aplication were carried out in a period of 6 months. After 9 months of follow-up there has not been any sign of recurrence.
Conclusions:
The early diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma is essential not only to prevent the intraocular spread and preserve visual function but also to prevent local or systemic recurrence and dissemination.