Metastatic Esophageal Cancer Presenting as an Orbital Mass

Abstract

We report a case of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus presenting as an orbital metastasis prior to the primary diagnosis. A 66-year-old white male presented to his ophthalmologist with right orbital swelling for several months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a supraorbital infiltrative mass. Pathology from the mass revealed findings consistent with adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal origin. Upper endoscopy revealed distal esophageal stricture and irregularities. Pathology from the esophagus showed the same malignancy found in the orbit. An orbital swelling can manifest as the initial presentation of metastatic disease and should be taken seriously to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.