PurposeTo highlight the importance of histopathological evaluation of a lid mass to prognosticate the disease. We report a case of ulcerative squamous cell papilloma with clinical features suggesting malignancy.Case reportA 65-year-old man presented with a rapidly enlarging mass in the left upper eyelid, with clinical features suggesting a squamous cell carcinoma. However, a repeat histopathological examination showed no malignant cells. The patient was diagnosed with squamous cell papilloma. He was followed-up for 30 months and no recurrence was observed. No such case has previously been reported in the literature.ConclusionThis report highlights the need for histopathological examination of all eyelid lesions to enable surgeons to prognosticate the disease.