[Choroidal metastases in breast and lung cancer. Prevalence and clinical features. A prospective study]

To analyze the prevalence of choroidal metastases in patients with breast and lung cancer and report their clinical, ophtalmological and angiographic features.

88 patients who in 1997 had been diagnosed of breast cancer (60 cases) and lung cancer (28) by the oncology unit in the University Hospital of Elche, underwent a thorough ophtalmological examination in search for choroidal metastases. Eighty six patients were newly diagnosed of cancer; the remaining two patients, in a complete remission status, relapsed during this period.

Total prevalence of choroidal metastases in the sample was 4.54% (4 cases). Prevalence in lung cancer was 7.14% (2 cases) compared to 3.33% (2 cases) in breast cancer. Choroidal involvement was found in the following stages: 2 out of 7 patients (28.5%) in stage IV with disseminated breast cancer and 2 out of 9 patients (22.22%) in stage IV with disseminated lung cancer.

Approximately one fourth of the patients showing disseminated breast and lung cancer (stage IV) showed metastases in the choroid. It appears from this study, that younger patients suffering from lung cancer are at greater risk of choroidal involvement (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 23-28).