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Orbital gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastasis
David Woo1, James Leong, Dale Waring
1Sydney Eye Hospital, Ophthalmology, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000, Australia. daviewoo@gmail.com
Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|April 12, 2012
Summary
This case report details an extremely rare instance of orbital metastasis from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The findings highlight the importance of considering GIST in orbital lesions, even with no intra-abdominal disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typically sporadic, solitary neoplasms.
- Malignant GISTs commonly metastasize to intra-abdominal sites like the liver.
- Orbital metastasis from GIST is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old woman presented with metastatic GIST to the left orbit.
- A history of two separate gastric GIST nodules was noted 6 years prior.
- CT imaging revealed a well-circumscribed, enhancing anterior orbital lesion.
- Histopathology confirmed spindle cells with focal epithelioid forms, positive for c-KIT (CD117).
Findings:
- This case represents the first documented instance of anterior orbital GIST metastasis.
- Immunohistochemistry (CD117) confirmed the metastatic nature of the orbital tumor.
- The patient required no further medical treatment beyond regular follow-up.
Implications:
- Orbital involvement should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors, particularly in patients with a history of GIST.
- This case expands the known metastatic patterns of GIST.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms behind rare metastatic GIST presentations.
