Conjunctival Melanoma with Ipsilateral, Non-Contiguous Eyelid Involvement: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Abstract

While the majority of cases of conjunctival melanoma (CM) involve the bulbar conjunctiva, concurrent pigmentation of the ipsilateral eyelid can be seen in up to 15% of cases. Although extension of conjunctival melanoma into the eyelid (AJCC cT3b) occurs in 1% of cases, non-contiguous lesions are very rare with only 5 clearly documented reports in the English literature. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, including separate primary melanomas, patchy involvement from primary acquired melanosis (which may be sine pigmento) and exfoliation of malignant tumour cells into the tear film. Herein we present a case of eyelid melanoma arising in a patient previously treated for CM at a non-contiguous site and provide a comprehensive review of the relevant literature.