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Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in an oil gland in the skin. Sebaceous carcinoma most often affects the eyelids.
Sebaceous carcinoma may begin as a painless lump or thickening of skin on the eyelid. On other parts of the body, it might cause a bump on the skin that may bleed or have a scab.
Sebaceous carcinoma treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Sebaceous carcinoma can grow quickly and sometimes spreads to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of sebaceous carcinoma may vary based on where it starts. This cancer happens most often on the eyelid.
Symptoms of sebaceous carcinoma on the eyelid include:
When sebaceous carcinoma happens on other parts of the body it's called extraocular sebaceous carcinoma. Symptoms of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma include:
Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.
The cause of sebaceous carcinoma often isn't known. This cancer starts as a growth of cells in the oil-producing glands of the skin. These glands are called sebaceous glands.
Sebaceous carcinoma happens when sebaceous gland cells get changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions tell the cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, the DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells. The cancer cells form a growth or lump on the skin.
Risk factors for sebaceous carcinoma include:
There is no way to prevent sebaceous carcinoma.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose sebaceous carcinoma include:
Sebaceous carcinoma treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments might be options in certain situations.
Treatment options may include:
Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your health professional thinks that you might have sebaceous carcinoma, that person may refer you to a specialist. Often this is a doctor who specializes in treating skin conditions, called a dermatologist.
Appointments can be short, and being prepared can help. Here's some information that may help you get ready.
When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.
For sebaceous carcinoma, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you several questions, such as: