Chapter 39: Conjunctival Tumors

CONJUNCTIVAL EPITHELIAL TUMORS

Sarah E. Coupland • Jakub Khzouz • Raymond Barnhill

SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL LESIONS

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) is a rare benign epithelial proliferation of the conjunctiva or cornea developing in response to trauma or inflammation. Although a benign reactive process, PEH may closely resemble squamous carcinoma clinically, and thus histopathological examination is often required in order to exclude malignancy.¹

Clinical Features

PEH often presents clinically as “leukoplakia” or a “limbal mass.”

Histopathological Features

Microscopic examination reveals epithelial hyperplasia with normal maturation and keratinizing squamous metaplasia of the conjunctiva. There is no significant cellular pleomorphism or dysplasia.² The underlying conjunctival stroma may show chronic inflammation (Fig. 39-1).

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis includes squamous papilloma and conjunctival squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. The latter shows significant epithelial dysplasia and pleomorphism (see below).

Squamous papilloma

Squamous papilloma (SP), the most common conjunctival tumor, is a benign exophytic lesion composed of a finger-like projection of conjunctival squamous epithelium lining a fibrovascular core.

Clinical Features

This entity occurs most frequently in young men 20–39 years of age (Table 39-1).^3-6 Clinically, it presents as a single exophytic sessile or pedunculated red mass, most commonly located medially and inferiorly on the conjunctiva.³ In children, papillomas are small and often multiple.⁴ Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV; most commonly HPV 6 and 11) is strongly associated with the development of SP.⁵ Frequently relapsing lesions are associated with HIV infection. Conjunctival papilloma often shows spontaneous regression after years of presentation; however, recurrence frequency is 11%.³ Development of severe dysplasia or invasive carcinoma is a rare event in a papilloma⁶ but must be excluded.

Histopathological Features

SPs can either be sessile or ...