Exudative retinal detachment caused by metastatic choriocarcinoma to the choroid

Choriocarcinoma is an aggressive malignant tumor. It commonly invades the uterus, causing necrosis and hemorrhage through vascular invasion. Metastasis is also common, with the main areas affected being the lung, brain, liver, pelvis, vagina, spleen, intestine, and kidney.

To illustrate the presentation of a rare disease, metastatic choriocarcinoma to the eye, causing a retinal detachment, and to elucidate the characteristics and treatment of that rare disease.

A 23-year-old woman presented to our Emergency Department with a left painful red eye with decreased visual acuity and was subsequently diagnosed with choriocarcinoma with metastasis to the lungs, brain, and choroid, causing a left exudative retinal detachment.

Gestational choriocarcinoma with metastasis to the eye is a rare disease and a rare cause of exudative retinal detachment. In general, metastatic choriocarcinoma is highly curable with chemotherapy. However, metastasis to the eye, regardless of the type of tumor, portends a poor prognosis.