Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis With Optic Nerve Metastasis Secondary to Breast Cancer

Orbital Metastasis from Breast Cancer: Three Cases and Brief Review of the Literature

Metastatic disease is a relatively rare cause of orbital tumors. While many different types of primary malignancies have been documented, lung and breast cancers are the most prevalent ones among them. Herein, three cases of orbital metastasis from breast cancer are reported. The first patient had no history of primary malignancy, and the initial presentation was orbital metastasis from advanced breast cancer. The second patient had a history of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, mastectomy, and adjuvant radiotherapy. The recurrence of the disease was diagnosed via symptomatic metastasis to orbit involving the lateral rectus muscle. The third patient had a history of mastectomy, adjuvant radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Considering that even patients without a diagnosis of primary malignancy may present with orbital metastasis, ophthalmologists' awareness of this issue is critical.

Symptoms of Isolated Optic Neuropathy in a Patient with Systemic, Brain, and Meningeal Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Introduction

Ocular metastases from breast cancer, particularly involving the optic nerve, are rare and pose a diagnostic challenge. Typically, optic nerve metastases are believed to originate from nearby choroidal metastases or hematogenous spread through the posterior ciliary arteries. However, there have been some reports of metastases through leptomeningeal dissemination. The aim of this report was to describe a case of multiple brain metastases from breast cancer without subjective symptoms other than central scotoma, which was diagnosed with repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Case Presentation

A 62-year-old woman who had previously undergone a mastectomy for left breast cancer complained of left ocular pain during eye movement and left visual loss. Initial contrast-enhanced MRI showed no significant abnormalities, and idiopathic optic neuritis was suspected. Despite steroid pulse therapy, her visual function did not improve. After four and a half months, her visual acuity worsened, and repeat contrast-enhanced MRI showed brain metastases involving the optic nerve sheath.

Conclusion

Despite the multiple brain metastases, ultimately the patient's only symptom was unilateral visual loss. These findings highlight the usefulness of repeated contrast-enhanced MRI for detecting brain metastases, especially in cases without other apparent neurological symptoms or initial imaging abnormalities.

A 'never miss' diagnosis: Ptosis secondary to metastatic breast cancer diagnosed as involutional ptosis and a review of the literature

We present a case of ptosis secondary to metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast which was initially diagnosed as involutional ptosis. A 67-year-old woman previously diagnosed with lobular carcinoma of the breast presented to our clinic with mild restriction of lateral gaze and persistent droopiness of her right eyelid (associated with decreased levator function) despite recent repair of a suspected involutional ptosis. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the right orbit which was biopsied and diagnosed as lobular carcinoma of the breast. Poor levator function is rarely present in involutional ptosis. Especially in conjunction with abnormal extraocular motility, other etiologies of acquired ptosis must be considered. This case highlights the importance of patient history and ocular examination in identifying the underlying etiology of ptosis. A review of the literature to evaluate the incidence of signs and symptoms associated with metastatic breast cancer to the orbit is included.