Eye
Conjunctiva
Epithelial tumors
Carcinoma in situ
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 September 2013
Last staff update: 22 December 2020
Copyright: 2004-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Carcinoma in situ conjunctiva [title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Treatment | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Negative stains | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Pernick N. Carcinoma in situ. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyeconjCIS.html. Accessed October 2nd, 2023.
Definition / general
- Also called Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia
- May present as complication of pterygium or pinguecula
- Due to solar radiation or other irritation
- Mainly adults
- Cytology and DNA cytometry may be useful for diagnosis (Anal Quant Cytol Histol 1999;21:387)
Treatment
- Cryotherapy or topical chemotherapy is preferable to surgery to preserve goblet cells and lacrimal gland ductules and prevent a painful dry eye that may compromise vision (Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2001;21:429)
Gross description
- Leukoplakia or fleshy mass with increased vascularity
Gross images
AFIP images
Circumlimbal lesion
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Full thickness changes including loss of epithelial polarity, cytologic atypia
- Pleomorphism and mitotic figures
- No extension of atypical cells beyond basal lamina of conjunctival epithelium
- Resembles dysplastic changes in cervix, Bowen disease or Paget disease of skin
Microscopic (histologic) images
AFIP images
Full thickness atypia
Marked nuclear pleomorphism
Loss of polarity and high N/C ratio
Limbal lesion with extension into cornea
Irregular acanthosis simulating invasion
Negative stains
- PAS (due to lack of maturation)
Differential diagnosis
- Dysplasia: atypia is less than full thickness
