Educational draft · awaiting clinical reviewUse Rapid for revision, not patient-care decisions. Check current national and local guidance and the BNF or BNFC before acting.
2 min synopsisUK scopeSources checked 7 Sept 2026Clinical review pending
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Tumour with ocular or orbital compromise
A suspicious lid lesion accompanied by new visual loss, proptosis, restricted movement or severe corneal exposure may have a complication or deeper extension.
Action: Seek urgent ophthalmic advice, using an emergency pathway for acute visual compromise; the routine processing of a cancer referral must not delay protection of sight.
Synopsis
Identify suspicious eyelid lesions, select the appropriate referral urgency and understand how diagnosis, tumour clearance and eyelid reconstruction fit together.
Basal cell carcinoma is common and can be locally destructive.
Squamous and sebaceous carcinomas can spread beyond the primary site.
A recurrent chalazion can occasionally conceal sebaceous malignancy.
Key red flags
Progressive growth, ulceration, spontaneous bleeding or failure to heal.
Investigation priorities
01
Clinical measurements and photographsFirst step
Document morphology and provide useful information for specialist triage.
Management branches
Suspicious lesionRefer with a clear risk description
An eyelid lesion has concerning morphology, evolution or recurrent behaviour.
Record growth, bleeding, lash loss, previous treatment and any functional effect.
Use the local suspected-cancer or specialist referral route appropriate to the suspected tumour.
National guidance is shown before implementation-dependent detail. Typical adult dose examples remain subject to patient factors, contraindications and the live BNF or specialist protocol. Source check completed 7 Sept 2026; clinical approval remains outstanding.
BOPSS eyelid tumours informationUK specialist-society explanation of tumour types, sebaceous masquerade, local effects and treatment planning.