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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation
Published on: November 17, 2014
Transplanted corneal graft with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma to the donor eye
Xiaoming Yao1, Ming Lee, Fangwei Ying
1Department of Ocular Surface Disorders, Shenzhen Ophthalmic Center Affiliated Ji'nan University, Shenzhen, China.
Objectives:
To report a case of corneal transplantation from a donor died of cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis to the eye.
Methods:
A patient with limbal dermoid received corneal transplant from a donor died of cholangiocarcinoma. Pathologic examination of the remaining donor limbal tissue revealed metastasis of tumor to the limbal vessels. Prompt exchange of the graft was performed. Before the second corneal transplantation, the surrounding tissue of the recipient bed was excised and sent for histopathologic examination.
Results:
No tumor transmission was noted surrounding the recipient bed. The second graft remained clear and the patient remained cancer free after regular examination for over a year.
Conclusions:
This is the first case to report that cholangiocarcinoma can metastasize to the corneal limbus. To avoid transmission of malignancies from the donor to the recipient, we suggest that donor tissue with history of malignancy should not be used for limbal allografting, and that frozen-section examination of donor limbal tissue is recommended before the transplantation.
Insights
This case highlights the risk of cholangiocarcinoma metastasis to the cornea during limbal allografting. Careful donor screening and frozen-section examination are crucial to prevent malignancy transmission in corneal transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Corneal transplantation is a common procedure.
- Malignant tumors can rarely metastasize to ocular tissues.
- Donor selection is critical to prevent disease transmission.
Observation:
- A case involving a corneal transplant from a donor who died of cholangiocarcinoma with ocular metastasis is presented.
- Pathologic examination of donor limbal tissue revealed metastasis to limbal vessels.
- The recipient underwent prompt graft exchange and had surrounding tissue examined.
Findings:
- No tumor transmission was observed in the recipient's surrounding tissue.
- The second corneal graft remained clear, and the patient remained cancer-free for over a year.
- This is the first reported instance of cholangiocarcinoma metastasis to the corneal limbus.
Implications:
- Donor tissue with a history of malignancy should be avoided for limbal allografting.
- Frozen-section examination of donor limbal tissue is recommended before transplantation to prevent malignancy transmission.
- This case highlights the importance of thorough donor screening in transplantation procedures to mitigate risks of cancer spread.
