Objective To investigate the relationship between P16 gene (the tumor suppressor gene) and the bcl-2 gene (the apoptosis inhibitor gene) and the incidence and development of malignant eyelid tumors. Methods The streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemistry method was used to study the expression of P16 gene and the bcl-2 gene in 96 cases of malignant eyelid tumors. Results Among the 96 cases, there were 40 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 33 squamous carcinomas and 23 sebaceous carcinoma, with P16 protein positive (nuclear staining) rates 70%, 54.6% and 56.5%, respectively. The P16 positive rate was negatively correlated with the degree of tumor histological differentiation, and the rate difference between the high differentiated carcinomas was significant (P