Impact of clinicopathological features of meibomian gland adenocarcinoma on the outcomes of surgical resection combined with eyelid reconstruction

This study aims to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of meibomian gland carcinoma (MGC) and their impact on the outcomes of surgical resection combined with eyelid defect reconstruction. A retrospective study was conducted on 128 patients diagnosed with MGC between December 2020 and January 2022. Demographic, clinical, pathological, surgical, and postoperative follow-up data were collected from the medical records. Patients were divided into two groups based on their total aesthetic outcome score: the satisfied group (score ≥27, n=87) and the dissatisfied group (score <27, n=41). Additionally, patients were categorized into recurrence (n=29) and non-recurrence groups (n=99) based on postoperative recurrence status. Results showed that age (OR=1.080, 95% CI: 1.015~1.149, P=0.015), tumor size (OR=1.625, 95% CI: 0.681~0.887, P<0.001), and tumor stage (OR1=0.007, 95% CI: 0.001~0.070; OR2=0.019, 95% CI: 0.003~0.145, P<0.001) significantly influenced aesthetic outcomes following surgical resection combined with eyelid defect reconstruction. Recurrence analysis indicated that tumor size (HR=1.224, 95% CI: 1.091~1.374, P<0.001) and stage (HR1=0.008, 95% CI: 0.001~0.084; HR2=0.051, 95% CI: 0.011~0.242, P<0.001) were significant factors affecting the recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the combined prediction of clinical and pathological features had the highest efficacy in predicting aesthetic outcomes and tumor recurrence following surgical resection and reconstruction (aesthetic outcome: Z=5.544, 3.110, 4.527; recurrence: Z=3.319, 2.986; all P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed significant differences in disease-free survival rates across different stages of tumors (χ²=29.275, P=0.005). In conclusion, the surgical treatment of MGC should consider clinical and pathological characteristics such as patient age, tumor size and stage, and individualized surgical and reconstruction plans should be developed accordingly. The combined prediction of aesthetic outcomes and recurrence risk can enhance surgical efifcacy and improve patient prognosis.