Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bulbar conjunctiva – an interventional case report

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.