Orbital Metastases

Abstract

Any patient with proptosis and/or ptosis with a history of cancer should be evaluated for orbital metastasis. Optometrists should keep in mind that an orbital metastasis may represent the initial manifestation of undiagnosed systemic cancer. Prognosis can be poor, and thus treatment is sometimes palliative in nature, intending to slow the progression of the disease instead of providing a cure.

Unilateral Ptosis with Bilateral Incomplete Ophthalmoplegia as the Initial Presentation in Metastatic Cancer

“…And orbital metastases are predominantly unilateral occurrences [2] and bilateral metastases affecting the extraocular muscles are extremely rare. Only five cases of bilateral metastases to extraocular muscles have been reported; three cases were metastatic breast carcinoma with one case each of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma [3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…When occurring, they are predominantly unilateral occurrences [2]. Bilateral metastases affecting the extraocular muscles are extremely rare.…”

Synchronous Orbital and Gastric Metastasis of Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma, Mimic Primary Gastric Carcinoma-Case Report

“…The orbital metastasis is detected as first sign of malignant disease or metastatic spread from breast carcinoma in about 10~30% of patients. Clinical presentation of orbital metastasis are diplopia, pain, blurred vision, exophthalmus, and a visible or palpable mass in the orbital or periorbital region, that was due to infiltration of cancer cell to extraocular muscle and orbital fat [4]. The histologic features of primary breast carcinoma can vary, and the pathologic findings of orbital metastases may also differ from the primary tumor.…”

Metastatic Esophageal Cancer Presenting as an Orbital Mass

“…The incidence of an isolated orbital lesion being a metastatic disease is rare 2,5,6. In one of the largest reported series of orbital tumors, metastases accounted for 7% of the total orbital tumors in adults 1,2.…”