Carcinoma of Sebaceous Glands on the Head and Neck

Carcinoma of sebaceous glands most commonly occurs on the eyelids and caruncles of the elderly. Local recurrences after would-be adequate treatment and distant metastases are common in this malignancy in this site. Carcinomas of sebaceous glands arising elsewhere in the skin also have a strong tendency to recur locally, but are said to be much less likely to metastasize. Our experience with four such carcinomas on the head and neck have led us to believe that the malignancy is biologically aggressive anywhere if not adequately treated at the onset.