Which type of cancer of the eyelid has been linked to ionizing radiation and ultraviolet sunlight?

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that can arise from the sebaceous glands of the eyelids. One of the significant risk factors associated with this cancer is exposure to ionizing radiation and ultraviolet sunlight. Research indicates that ionizing radiation, which is used in medical treatments and procedures, can cause DNA damage that may lead to the development of various cancers, including sebaceous carcinoma. Similarly, excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight has been established as a major risk factor for skin cancers, particularly in sun-exposed areas, such as the eyelids.

While basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are more common skin cancers linked to UV exposure, they were not specified in this context as being specifically associated with both factors as prominently as sebaceous carcinoma.

Melanoma, another serious form of skin cancer, is primarily related to UV exposure but does not have a significant association with ionizing radiation like sebaceous carcinoma does. Therefore, the recognition of sebaceous carcinoma’s links to both ionizing radiation and UV sunlight makes it the correct answer in this instance.