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Extreme Cancer of the Periorbital Region

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Atlas of Extreme Facial Cancer

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Abstract

This chapter is a collaborative effort from an oculoplastic surgeon and plastic surgeons. It considers the unique functional anatomy of the eyelids, globe, orbital contents, regional relationships and visual physiology. A variety of cancers occur in the periorbital region. The commonest are basal cell (BCC), squamous cell (SCC), sebaceous gland (SGC), Merkel cell carcinomas and cutaneous melanoma. These cancers can be locally invasive and spread by regional lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion and in some cases life-threatening distant metastases. Immunocompromised patients can present with extensive cancer spread. Multidisciplinary care optimises the management of these tumours. When managing periocular cancers, the preservation of eyesight is an obligatory consideration. However, in some cases vision has to be sacrificed to achieve an optimal oncological result or to preserve life. Surgical margins of cancers invading the orbit are ill-defined, necessitating aggressive multimodality therapy. In surgical reconstruction, special attention must be given to preserving (1) ocular motility and (2) the protective function of the eyelids while retaining (3) an adequate palpebral aperture for vision. Preserving an eye’s tear film and an adequate tear outflow system is also vital for maintaining eyesight and a patient’s quality of life.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Waikato Hospital and Hamilton Eye Clinic, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Stephen G. J. Ng

  2. Private Practice, Auckland, New Zealand

    Michael F. Klaassen

  3. Formerly Department of Plastic Surgery, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

    Earle Brown

Authors
  1. Stephen G. J. Ng
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  2. Michael F. Klaassen
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  3. Earle Brown
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, Gisborne, New Zealand

    Ian Burton

  2. St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand

    Michael F. Klaassen

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Ng, S.G.J., Klaassen, M.F., Brown, E. (2022). Extreme Cancer of the Periorbital Region. In: Burton, I., Klaassen, M.F. (eds) Atlas of Extreme Facial Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88334-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88334-8_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-88333-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-88334-8

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