Background: Sebaceous carcinoma is an unusual, aggressive, malignant tumor derived from the epithelium of sebaceous glands. It may arise in ocular or extra-ocular sites and is often evident as an ulcerated or non-ulcerated cystic nodule measuring up to 8 cm in diameter. A significant number of extra-ocular sebaceous carcinomas have been associated with metastases and high mortality rate.
Methods and results: We reviewed the literature in the context of our report of a 68-year-old woman who had a morpheaform plaque of the upper lip of 15 years duration, extending into the left naso-genal groove, which histologically also showed marked stromal fibrosis. Three years after excision, there were no signs of recurrence or metastases.
Conclusions: This patient is unusual in clinical and histologic pattern, as a morpheaform appearance has only been described previously in only one sebaceous carcinoma. In addition, no metastatic disease 15 years after tumor onset is a fortunate and remarkable feature.
2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.