Metastatic tumors to the orbit--management and prognosis

Ocular metastasis from renal malignancies - A comprehensive review

The most common cause of intraocular mass is metastasis from other tumors. Renal malignancies, though rare, have a substantial number of cases with ocular metastasis, few of which were misdiagnosed. Many a times renal malignancies present with ocular manifestations before the primary diagnosis. Here in this article, we comprehensively reviewed 106 cases of ocular metastasis from renal malignancies published till date to the best of our knowledge. The eye is a rare site for distant metastasis because of the lack of a lymphatic system. The most common ocular structures to get involved in distant metastasis are the uveal tract, i.e., choroid, iris, and ciliary body. The most common renal tumor which metastasizes to eyes is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC accounts for less than 2% of all ophthalmic metastases. Out of total 106 cases, the type of renal malignancy was known in 95 cases only, of which 92 had RCC, 1 Wilm's tumor, 1 rhabdoid tumor, and 1 medullary carcinoma. The age ranged widely from 2 weeks old to 81 years old. The male to female ratio was 3.4:1. In total, 67.4% of cases had a previous history of RCC, while the rest 32.6% primarily presented with ophthalmic manifestations first. Treatment modalities included enucleation of the eye, debulking surgery followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.

Orbital Metastasis: A Rare but Typical Location of Small Intestine Neuroendocrine Tumor on 18F-FDOPA PET/CT

ABSTRACT

Orbital foci of increased uptake are sometimes visualized on 18F-FDOPA PET/CT, but the literature remains poor as to their nature. The orbit is indeed a rare site of metastatic involvement. Given this low probability of metastatic location, the question of an incidental benign finding may arise. We reviewed all 18F-FDOPA PET/CT examinations performed at our institution between January 2015 and May 2021: 4/149 patients presented at least 1 orbital focus of increased uptake, all of them presented a metastatic small intestine neuroendocrine tumor. Somatostatin receptor expression was confirmed using 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT supporting the hypothesis of genuine metastases.

Orbital metastasis as the primary manifestation of pancreatic carcinoma: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Orbital metastasis from pancreatic tumors is extremely rare, and its clinical characteristics are still unclear.

CASE PRESENTATION

Our case was a 73-year-old female who noticed diplopia on right gaze 3 months before referral to us. Imaging studies demonstrated a mass involving the lateral rectus muscle in the right orbit. The results of pathological examination of an excised specimen corresponded to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Systemic work-up revealed pancreatic carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. The patient underwent chemotherapy. We reviewed literature on similar cases and found 19 reported cases of pancreatic tumors metastasizing to the orbit. The results of our review indicate a tendency for formation of solitary mass without bony erosion, delayed detection of the primary pancreatic carcinoma, and poorer prognosis of such tumors, compared to metastatic orbital tumors from other lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a rare case of metastatic orbital tumor from an unknown primary pancreatic carcinoma. Clinical characteristics of cases with metastatic pancreatic tumors seem to be different from those with metastatic tumors from the other lesions. Pancreatic tumors are frequently asymptomatic in an early stage, leading to delayed detection of the primary pancreatic carcinoma and poorer prognosis.

Thyroid and Eye: Where They Meet in Clinical Practice

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid Hormones (TH) are essential for normal growth, development and continued optimal function of most of the body organs including the eye. TH signaling plays a central role in the regulation of retinal development and maturation. Deficiency in TH during fetal and early postnatal development impairs growth of the eye and proliferation of all retinal cell types. The present article reviews the most important topics of the different derangements in thyroid function and structure and its relation with eye diseases.

METHODS

A literature search strategy was conducted for all English-language literature.

RESULTS

From a clinical practice viewpoint, it should be mentioned that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are accompanied by ocular diseases i.e. thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Although the orbit and globe are not common sites for metastatic thyroid cancers, orbital metastasis may be the primary clinical manifestation of thyroid carcinoma. Finally, some medications as amiodarone may be accompanied by both thyroid dysfunction and adverse ocular events.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid disorders and eye diseases are interrelated through several mechanisms thus, awareness of this relation has a great impact on early diagnosis and treatment.

Dedifferentiated transformation in metastatic liposarcoma of orbit and brain

A liposarcoma of the orbit is extremely rare and a metastatic liposarcoma of the orbit is even rarer. Histologically, metastatic tumors frequently resemble the appearance of the primary lesion or may be less differentiated. In the present paper, we report on a case of a metastatic liposarcoma of the orbit and brain in which dedifferentiated transformation occurred from the primary tumor. The primary liposarcoma was a myxoid liposarcoma in the thigh, which had been resected 6 years ago. The metastatic orbital liposarcoma was poorly differentiated compared to the primary tumor and the tumor in the brain was even more poorly differentiated and anaplastic than the tumor in orbit. The tumor in the orbit and brain was completely removed and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were performed.

Conjunctival Leiomyosarcoma, a Rare Neoplasm Always Originating at the Limbus? Report of a New Case and Review of 11 Published Cases

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To describe the differential diagnosis and management of a rare conjunctival malignancy.

PROCEDURES

A 79-year-old man presented with a conjunctival mass at the limbus. Excisional biopsy revealed a malignant mesenchymal tumor with myogenic differentiation. Six months later, three suspect lesions developed at the border of the previous excision. Pathological diagnosis pointed to a leiomyosarcoma. Adjuvant radiotherapy with strontium-90 brachytherapy was applied. After 3 years, there was neither recurrence nor distant metastases. A literature review revealed 11 cases of conjunctival leiomyosarcoma.

RESULTS

All 12 cases seemed to originate at the limbal conjunctiva. Scleral invasion was found only in one patient with multiple previous resections. Corneal invasion was reported in two patients. Four patients had a globe-sparing resection. In two of them, margins were not tumor free and additional brachytherapy gave a tumor-free follow-up of 1 and 3 years. Four cases underwent an exenteration.

CONCLUSION AND MESSAGE

Primary conjunctival leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor with a favorable prognosis due to early detection and consequently limited size. Diagnosis involves histopathological investigation including immunohistochemistry. If possible, complete resection has the best prognosis. Adjunctive radiotherapy can be effective when the margins are not free and should be considered.

Resolved heart tamponade and controlled exophthalmos, facial pain and diabetes insipidus due to Erdheim-Chester disease

A 69-year-old woman suffering from exophthalmos and facial pain came to us referred for aetiological diagnosis of exophthalmos. Orbital MRI showed thinned extrinsic ocular musculature, intraconal fat infiltration, retro-ocular compression and thickening of maxillary and sphenoid sinus walls. She had been suffering from diabetes insipidus for the last 7 years. During our diagnosis process, she presented signs of cardiac tamponade. Transthoracic heart ultrasound revealed large pericardial effusion and a heterogeneous mass that compressed the right ventricle. No osteosclerotic lesions on appendicular bones were present. Pericardiocentesis temporarily controlled tamponade and corticoid therapy temporarily abated exophthalmos. Pericardiectomy definitively resolved tamponade. Histological examination of pericardial tissue was conclusive of Erdheim-Chester disease. Exophthalmos responded to pegylated interferon-alpha-2a. Facial bone pain disappeared after zoledronic acid and interferon treatment. During interferon therapy, the patient suffered from a severe generalised desquamative exanthema that slowly resolved after discontinuing interferon. Diabetes insipidus remains controlled with desmopressin.

Unilateral localized extraocular muscle metastasis by lobular breast carcinoma

Here is a case of an isolated orbital metastasis in a previously diagnosed metastatic breast cancer of a 46-year-old woman presenting diplopia and pain in her left eye. The magnetic resonance showed a suspected metastatic localisation in the upper left oblique muscle, which was confirmed by the fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The systemic therapy with liposomal doxorubicin as well as local stereotactic radiotherapy showed a gradual improvement of the local symptoms and signs.

Metastasis to the extraocular muscles: a case report, literature review and pooled data analysis

Metastasis to the extraocular muscles (EOM) is rare. The existing literature comprises only of isolated case reports therefore a summative description of these lesions is lacking. This study presents a case of bilateral rectus muscle metastasis from malignant melanoma. Furthermore a literature review and pooled data analysis is undertaken with 43 articles encompassing 77 patients and 101 eyes. Mean age was 53 years, 54% were male, 66% had unilateral involvement and 34% had bilateral involvement. The primary malignancies were melanoma (n = 17, 22%), breast (n = 15, 15%) and carcinoid (n = 11, 14%). A single muscle was involved in 56 eyes (67%) and multiple muscles in 27 eyes (33%). Lateral rectus was most commonly affected (n = 44, 53%). Presenting symptoms included restricted eye movements (n = 48, 62%), proptosis (n = 45, 58%), diplopia (n = 27, 35%) and pain (n = 18, 23%). Scattered case reports have previously made it difficult to characterise this phenomenon thus a pooled data analysis is presented.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the facial skeleton: a systematic review

Background

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) metastasis to the facial skeleton is exceedingly rare. A case of FTC metastasizing to the mandible is presented and a systematic review of the literature describing thyroid metastasis to the facial skeleton is performed.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old female presented with metastatic FTC to the mandible and underwent total thyroidectomy, segmental mandibulectomy, bone impacted fibular free flap reconstruction, and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment. The PubMed database was searched for literature describing thyroid cancer with facial skeleton metastasis using the key words “thyroid,” “cancer,” “carcinoma,” “metastasis,” and “malignancy” with “oral cavity,” “maxilla,” “mandible,” “sinus,” “paranasal,” and “orbit.” Reports that only involved the soft tissues were excluded. Systematic review revealed 59 cases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer with facial skeleton metastasis: 35 mandibular metastases (21 = FTC), 6 maxilla metastases (2 = FTC), 9 orbital metastases (4 = FTC), and 11 paranasal sinus metastases (7 = FTC). Treatment included surgery, RAI, external beam radiotherapy (XRT), or a combination of these modalities. The one, two, and five-year survival rates were 100%, 79%, and 16%, respectively.

Conclusion

Facial skeleton metastasis of FTC is a rare clinical challenge. Optimal treatment appears to include total thyroidectomy and resection of involved structures with or without adjuvant treatment.

Clinical and imaging characteristics of orbital metastatic lesions among Egyptian patients

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to review the demographic, clinical, and imaging features of Egyptian patients with orbital metastases.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective study of patients with orbital metastatic lesions over the last 15 years.

RESULTS

The study included 37 patients. Male patients represented 54.1%. The primary tumor was breast carcinoma in 21.6% of patients, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 16.2% and cutaneous malignant melanoma in 13.5% of patients. Bronchogenic carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, and thyroid adenocarcinoma was the primary tumor in 8.1% of cases each. The most common primary tumor in children was neuroblastoma (42.9% of pediatric patients). In 24.3% of patients, there was no history of cancer, and the orbital metastatic lesion was the first presentation of the disease. Proptosis and/or globe displacement was the presenting feature in 78.4%, followed by diplopia and limited ocular movements in 35.1%, inflammatory manifestations in 10.8%, and ptosis in 5.4%. In 54.1% the lesion involved the right orbit and in 5.4% bilateral involvement was found. Orbital imaging showed infiltrative lesion in 62.2%, mass lesion in 21.6%, isolated muscle thickening in 10.8%, and bone metastasis in 5.4%. All cases of HCC showed osteoclastic changes, and all cases of prostatic carcinoma were osteoblastic lesions.

CONCLUSION

Orbital metastasis from HCC represented a higher incidence when compared to previous studies, probably due to the increased incidence of HCC found in the Egyptian population. Orbital metastasis can display a variety of clinical and imaging features, and a high index of suspicion is required, as 24.3% showed negative history of cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer presenting as a subconjunctival mass

Breast cancer is the most common primary source of orbital metastasis. Metastasis occurs through hematogenous spread and predominantly involves the choroid. We present a case of a metastatic subconjunctival mass associated with primary breast cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its kind. A 41-year-old woman presented with complaints of conjunctival injection and a foreign body sensation in the left eye. She had a history of breast cancer and had been treated 2 years previously with modified radical mastectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Slit-lamp examination showed a cystic mass under the temporal bulbar conjunctiva, associated with dilated overlying conjunctival vessels. An excisional biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Positron emission tomography examination for systemic malignancy revealed multiple systemic metastasis. Metastatic disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subconjunctival lesions, and ophthalmic manifestations can play an important role in the detection of metastatic spread of a known primary breast cancer.

Orbital gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastasis

PURPOSE

To report an uncommon case of orbital gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) metastasis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Observational case report.

RESULTS

A 65-year-old woman with metastatic GIST involving the left orbit with a history of two separate GIST nodules involving the stomach 6 years earlier. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a well-circumscribed enhancing lesion confined to the anterior orbit. Histopathology analysis of the tumor showed predominantly spindle cells with focal epithelioid forms. It also stained positive for c-KIT (CD117) on immunochemistry, confirming the diagnosis. Additional medical treatment was not required, and the patient was followed up regularly for disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

GISTs typically occur as sporadic solitary tumors. In malignant cases, it usually metastasizes to the liver or other intraabdominal sites. Orbital involvement is extremely rare. This is the first case of metastatic GIST involving the anterior orbit with histopathological and immunochemical confirmation.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the orbital apex

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck most commonly metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lung, bone, and liver. Many other rare sites of metastatic disease have been reported. To date, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck to the orbital apex has not been described. Presented are two cases, one tonsil and one parotid primary with metastatic disease to the orbital apex. Many tumors have been found to metastasize to the eye and orbit, but head and neck neoplasms are rarely reported. A review of the literature is presented in addition to the detailed case reports with their radiologic findings and clinical course. Surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy appears the treatment of choice at this time.

[Tumors and tumor-like lesions of the orbit]

This article gives an overview of the most common and clinically relevant tumors of the orbit and their treatment. The most common orbital tumors in childhood are cystic tumors, such as dermoid and epidermoid cysts. Capillary hemangiomas are the most common primary benign tumors of the orbit and appear mostly in the first year of life. In contrast teratomas are rare and histologically mostly benign. Neural tumors are, for example, gliomas of the optic nerve and in 25-50% of cases are associated with neurofibromatosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rapidly growing malignant orbital tumor whereby the stage and localization are the most important prognostic factors for survival chance in children. Leukemia can be associated with a chloroma especially in the first decade of life. Lymphoproliferative diseases, vascular and cystic tumors in particular are known as tumors of adulthood. In addition to fibroosseous and mesenchymal tumors, neural forms, such as schwannomas are also important. Secondary tumors of the orbit are often manifested in the nose and paranasal sinuses.

[Orbital metastasis from cutaneous melanoma]

PURPOSE

We report the case of a patient presenting with a one-sided orbital metastasis from a cutaneous melanoma, and analyze clinical features, diagnostic difficulties and prognosis of such metastasis.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a woman aged 70 years, who presented with a right one-sided proptosis associated to a decrease of the vision. The clinical features were: visual acuity at 2/10, an axile proptosis and a papillary sectorial temporal atrophy. The computed tomography (CT) disclosed an intraorbital mass with double tonality, rounded and well limited driving back the optic nerve and erasing the limits of the lateral rectus muscle. The orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intra-conal fusiform mass with an heterogeneous signal in T1 and T2, heightening intensely and heterogeneously after the injection of Gadolinium. Otherwise, the patient presented with an associated respiratory failure, and thoracic CT has disclosed diffuse metastases. It was then noted that a cutaneous melanoma of the left foot had been operated ten years before. The patient died during the following month.

DISCUSSION

The cutaneous melanoma is a rare cause of orbital metastasis. The diagnosis is often easy, when a primitive tumor is known, but it remains uncertain for a long time.

CONCLUSION

Orbital metastases from cutaneous melanoma are rare, generally occurring at the late stage of the disease with a life expectancy not passing one year.

Issues raised by a case of orbital metastatic disease

The clinical, radiological and histopathological findings in an 81-year-old man presenting with lung carcinoma metastatic to the orbit are described. Orbital biopsy was complicated by postoperative visual loss and failed to contribute significantly to the final diagnosis. The authors believe that in cases of possible orbital metastases a primary neoplasm should be excluded by means of a complete oncological assessment before proceeding to biopsy.

High-grade liposarcoma metastatic to the gingival mucosa: case report and literature review

Liposarcoma is the most common family of soft tissue sarcomas and occurs most often in the extremities and retroperitoneum. Primary liposarcoma of any subtype is relatively rare in the tissues of the head and neck, and metastatic liposarcoma is even more unusual. This report describes a recent case of a metastatic high-grade liposarcoma presenting on the dental alveolus. English-language publications on metastatic liposarcoma to the head and neck region are reviewed with an emphasis on the types of therapies used and the resultant outcomes.

Metastasis to the Eye and Orbit from Renal Cell Carcinoma—A Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature

We report three cases of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the eye and orbit and review the relevant literature. The case reports of a 67-year-old man, a 58-year-old man, and a 23-year-old woman with metastatic renal cell carcinoma are described. The iris mass occurred in a 67-year-old man, a known case of renal cell carcinoma. Whereas the orbital metastasis in the 58-year-old man was the initial presenting sign in a hitherto undiagnosed patient, the orbital metastasis in the 23-year-old female patient was detected following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the eye and orbit are very rare, with only 68 cases reported previously. In patients presenting with atypical orbital or ocular masses, the possibility of renal cell carcinoma metastasis should be considered, especially if there is a history of previous renal disorder. Incisional biopsy with histopathological evaluation may be an important means to diagnose this condition and facilitate appropriate therapy.

Orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma: a clinicopathologic report and review of the literature

A 53-year-old male presented with a progressive mass of the left orbit. His medical history included an invasive carcinoma of the bladder diagnosed three weeks earlier. An orbital biopsy was performed and the diagnosis was that of an orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma. The patient developed widespread metastatic disease and unfortunately died one month after the diagnosis of orbital metastasis. Orbital metastasis of urinary bladder carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis and is more frequently observed in older people. In addition, it is five times more prevalent in men than in women.

Metastatic melanoma in the eye and orbit

OBJECTIVE

Presentation of a large series of patients with metastatic melanoma involving the eye and orbit.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirteen cases of metastatic melanoma involving intraocular tissues, 6 cases of metastatic melanoma in the orbit, and 1 case of metastatic melanoma involving both the eye and the orbit, treated in Lausanne between 1986 and 2002, were identified from the computer files of the ocular oncology and orbitopalpebral surgery units of Jules Gonin Hospital.

METHODS

The analysis is based on the demographic data concerning these patients, clinical data concerning the tumor, the treatment applied, the outcome, and the follow-up.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical presentation of intraocular and orbital metastasis, interval between primary tumor and ocular metastasis, survival of the patients, evaluation of various therapeutic protocols.

RESULTS

Intraocular metastases (14 cases, 15 eyes) were situated in the choroid in 11 cases (isolated lesion, 6 cases; multiple lesions, 3 cases; diffuse involvement, 2 cases), in the iris and ciliary body in 2 cases, and in the retina and vitreous in 2 other cases. The primary tumor was a cutaneous melanoma in 8 cases, a melanoma of the contralateral eye in 3 cases, a mucosal melanoma in 1 case, and was unknown in 2 cases. The mean interval between the diagnosis of ocular metastases and the patient's death was 8.8 months (range, 1-48 months). The primary tumor in the 7 cases of orbital metastases was a cutaneous melanoma in 5 cases, a uveal melanoma in the contralateral eye in 1 case, and was unknown in 1 case. The mean interval between the diagnosis of orbital metastases and death was 19.7 months (range, 5-48 months). The patients were treated by various protocols. The best results, in terms of both local tumor control and preservation of visual function, were obtained with circumscribed proton beam radiotherapy or external beam irradiation, depending on the site and extent of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic melanomas to the eye and orbit are rare and generally occur in patients with disseminated metastases during the terminal stages of the disease, with a short life expectancy. Treatment is palliative and, among the various possible treatment options, circumscribed proton beam radiotherapy or global photon beam radiotherapy, at relatively high irradiation doses, seems to achieve the most favorable results.

Metastatic tumors of the orbit: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To present the clinical features and facts on prognosis, therapy and diagnostics of orbital metastases treated in the Orbital Center Kiel.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 20 patients with orbital metastases (ca. 2% of all orbital patients seen in a 10-year period).

RESULTS

The mean age at first manifestation of orbital symptoms was 64 years. On average, 64 months was the period of time between the onset of the primary disease and orbital manifestation. The sites of the primary tumors were breast (8), choroid (2), prostate (2), gastrointestinal tract (3), lung (2), urinary bladder (1), Schmincke tumor of the throat (1) and unknown origin (1). Eleven patients were female, 9 male. The main primary symptoms consisted of lid swelling (11), red eye (9), diplopia (10), and proptosis (7). Although the majority (16/20) were treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, 19 patients died after a mean survival time of 14.7 months.

CONCLUSION

Orbital metastases remain an unfavorable prognostic factor, but the diagnosis and treatment are still important in order to prevent loss of vision and improve the patient's quality of life. As previous studies have shown, the overall survival rate is still as limited as nearly half a century ago.

Liposarcoma metastatic to the orbit

PURPOSE

To describe a patient with liposarcoma metastatic to the left orbit.

METHODS

A 72-year-old man was admitted with diplopia and proptosis of the left eye. Previously, a retroperitoneal liposarcoma had been surgically removed followed by postoperative radiation. Visual acuity was normal. There was proptosis of the left eye, increased retrobulbar resistance and reduced mobility. Trans-septal orbital biopsies showed liposarcoma. The patient was initially treated with prednisolone and later received radio- and chemotherapy. Despite treatment he lost vision of the left eye and died a few months later.

RESULTS

Histological examination of the orbital tumor revealed a spindle-cell liposarcoma similar to the primary tumor of the retroperitoneum.

CONCLUSIONS

Liposarcoma metastatic to the orbit is rare, but should be suspected in a patient with proptosis caused by a space-occupying lesion and a history of liposarcoma.

Cancer metastatic to the orbit: the 2000 Robert M. Curts Lecture

PURPOSE

To report the demographics and clinical features of a large series of patients with orbital metastasis.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review on 100 consecutive patients and a literature review on orbital metastasis.

RESULTS

Of 100 patients, the primary tumor site was breast in 53 (53%), prostate gland in 12 (12%), lung in 8 (8%), skin (melanoma) in 6 (6%), kidney in 5 (5%), gastrointestinal tract in 5 (5%), choroid (melanoma) in 2 (2%), parotid gland in 1 (1%), and adrenal gland (neuroblastoma) in 1 (1%). Of patients in whom a detailed history was available, there was no history of cancer at the time of presentation in 19%. In 10%, the primary tumor remained undetected despite systemic evaluation. There were 36 male patients and 64 female patients whose mean age at diagnosis was 62 years (median 60 years, range 5 to 91 years). Both the right and left orbits were affected equally, and 4 cases (4%) were bilateral. The most frequent clinical findings were limited ocular motility (54%), proptosis (50%), and palpable mass (43%). The diagnoses were established by history, systemic survey, imaging studies, and biopsy. Treatment included chemotherapy, hormone therapy, irradiation, surgical excision, or observation, depending on clinical circumstances. Among patients with sufficient follow-up, 95% died of metastasis, with overall mean survival of 15 months (median 15 months; range 3 to 96 months) after orbital diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common primary cancers that metastasize to the orbit are breast, prostate gland, and lung cancer. In 19%, there is no history of cancer when the patient presents with ophthalmic symptoms and in 10% the primary site remains obscure despite systemic evaluation. The systemic prognosis is generally poor.

Bilateral orbital metastases from breast carcinoma. A case of false pseudotumor

OBJECTIVE

To inform clinicians of a metastatic orbital neoplasm that frequently masquerades as an orbital inflammatory syndrome and to stimulate thought regarding this neoplasm's fundamental pathobiology specific to its orbital involvement.

DESIGN

Interventional case report and literature review.

PARTICIPANTS

A 47-year-old woman with an acquired, bilateral, diffusely infiltrative orbital process is described.

INTERVENTION

The clinical and radiographic features of the patient's orbital process are reported. The review of two prior fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens failed to reveal a diagnosis. Histopathologic examination of an open surgical biopsy specimen included standard light microscopy of frozen and formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

RESULTS

Characteristics light microscopy findings suggested the diagnosis of metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast. The patient refused all therapeutic intervention and died 9 months after orbitotomy.

CONCLUSION

The presentation of breast carcinoma metastatic to the orbit as a bilateral infiltrative process is far more common than appreciated previously. Its rate of bilateral orbital involvement is 20%, whereas this rate for other adult neoplasms is much lower. The authors report an additional case, review the clinical features of previous case reports and series, and discuss aspects of the metastatic process. Breast carcinoma must be included in the differential diagnosis of infiltrative orbital processes encountered in adult female patients. When "orbital pseudotumor" is detected in an adult female patient, a thorough medical history must be obtained and physical examination performed. If a possible primary breast carcinoma is indicated, one must be wary of metastatic disease, and a histologic orbital diagnosis is warranted. The frequency of orbital metastasis and bilateral orbital involvement of this neoplasm reinforces the possibility for organ-specific metastases.

Orbital metastases: diagnosis and course

AIMS

Three issues were investigated in adult outpatients with orbital metastases. One, how accurate are current diagnostic methods? Two, what is the survival associated with orbital metastases? Three, did any clinical factors correlate with prognosis in this patient cohort?

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with orbital metastases managed in an ocular oncology unit.

RESULTS

11 of 31 (35%) patients had no known primary malignancy at the time of orbital diagnosis. In eight of 31 (26%) computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging data did not yield the diagnosis of metastases. In 15 of 17 (88%) cases a fine needle aspiration biopsy was diagnostic. Several types of therapy were used. The median survival was 1.3 years.

CONCLUSION

Orbital metastases, even with newer diagnostic techniques can be difficult to diagnose. Management was based on location and extent of both orbital and systemic disease as well as vision. In most cases, orbital symptoms were palliated; however, survival was dismal. No clinical factor correlated with prognosis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma presumed metastatic to the orbit

BACKGROUND

Orbital metastasis from rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disorder with a poor prognosis for long-term survival. Only one other detailed account of this disorder has appeared in the ophthalmic literature.

METHODS

The authors report the clinical features of four patients with presumed orbital metastasis from alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

RESULTS

The most common ophthalmic manifestations of orbital metastasis from rhabdomyosarcoma in these patients included proptosis, reduced visual acuity, orbital pain, and motility disorders. Computed tomography documented orbital masses in all of the patients. In those patients with a primary tumor of the maxillary sinus, there was no evidence of direct extension into the orbit. Despite combination chemotherapy and radiation, all four patients died of their illness within 6 months of orbital metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although uncommon, rhabdomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic tumors to the orbit in children and adults. Despite the poor prognosis, prompt diagnosis and palliative radiotherapy may improve the quality of life for these patients with terminal disease.