TITLE:
Early Diagnosis of Invasive Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Young, Immunocompetent, Melanoderma Patient at the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital
AUTHORS:
Irma Eneida Almeida dos Santos, Fabrice Senghor, Joseph Matar Mass Ndiaye, Ibou Thiam, Paule Aida Ndoye
KEYWORDS:
Conjunctiva, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Ophthalmology, Histology, Ziguinchor
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.16 No.4,
November
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (SCC) is a malignant tumor arising from the conjunctival epithelium, relatively rare in our setting. We report a case of SCC with an atypical epidemiological and clinical presentation, discovered incidentally at an early stage, in an immunocompetent patient of dark skin treated at the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital. Observation: This is a 42-year-old patient, admitted to the ophthalmology department for an inflammatory conjunctival lesion in the right eye, resistant to topical corticosteroid therapy and evolving for more than a month. The ophthalmological examination revealed a rounded, nasal, paralimbic, inflamed conjunctival swelling with overlying vascular dilation. It presented a smooth, regular surface. A marginal, juxtalar corneal ulcer was noted. The remainder of the examination was normal. Excision and biopsy were performed with intraoperative application of an antimitotic agent. Histopathological examination of the specimen led to the diagnosis of a well-differentiated, mature, and infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma. Complete surgical excision (biopsy and excision) with clear 2 mm margins was performed, combined with intraoperative topical application of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in our setting is a rare condition that can affect young, immunocompetent males. This lesion can mimic a benign lesion, leading to diagnostic uncertainty. Histopathological examination after surgical excision is of paramount importance for management.