Orbital metastasis secondary to merkel cell carcinoma: case report and literature review
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Updated: May 11, 2026
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
Davin Johnson1, Daniel Warder, Marc-Emile Plourde
1Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. davin.johnson@queensu.ca
Introduction:
Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy often associated with metastatic spread, but has never been reported to metastasize to the orbit.
Case:
An 80 year old male with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma presented with ptosis and extraocular movement abnormalities, and was found to have a lesion of the orbit consistent with metastatic spread. The lesion responded favorably to radiation therapy.
Comment:
Although the orbit is a frequent site of metastatic disease, this is the first reported case of presumed Merkel cell carcinoma metastasizing to the orbit.
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