[Orbital metastasis of prostatic carcinoma]

Prostate cancer is frequently complicated by bone metastases. However some metastatic sites remain rare and unusual. The authors report an exceptional case of prostatic carcinoma presenting with orbital metastasis. A 71-year-old man was admitted with ocular protrusion and decreased visual acuity of the left eye. In addition to the ophthalmological disorders, clinical examination revealed a left temporoparietal swelling with a suspicious prostate on digital rectal examination. Brain MRI revealed an osteolytic process involving the left sphenoid bone with intra-orbital invasion. Another osteolytic site was observed in the left temporoparietal region with intracranial and extracranial components. PSA was 13,327 ng/ml. Prostatic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. Treatment comprised cranial radiotherapy combined with anti-androgen endocrine therapy and corticosteroids. Six weeks after treatment, the patient obtained an improvement of visual acuity and regression of exophthalmos and the temporoparietal swelling. Orbital metastasis of prostatic carcinoma raises the problem of ophthalmic emergency. Cranial radiotherapy and anti-androgen endocrine therapy allowed regression of the symptoms without modifying the unfavourable course of the disease.