Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical evaluation of iris metastases from small cell lung carcinoma

We report the case of a patient with small cell lung carcinoma who developed multiple metastases in the iris. The eye was enucleated after failure of a conservative approach. The specimen underwent histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation that confirmed the diagnosis.

Metastatic carcinoma is the most common form of intraocular malignancy, and breast is the most prevalent primary location, followed by lung. Small cell lung carcinoma constitutes 23.1% of lung neoplasias. It has a significantly worse prognosis than non-small cell carcinoma due to its propensity for early and widespread dissemination. Uveal metastases involve the choroid more often than the iris and ciliary body, probably because the arterial distribution is more abundant in the posterior than in the anterior uvea. Iris involvement represents only 9% of the metastatic uveal tumours.