Metastatic breast carcinoma of the orbit

Two Caucasian females in whom an orbital mass was the first sign of metastasis from a breast carcinoma are described. Each subject had undergone a radical mastectomy to treat a primary breast carcinoma, one six years and the other eight years previously. Each presented with ipsilateral proptosis, and restricted upper eyelid action; one had altered ocular motility. In each subject an open biopsy of the orbital mass via an eyelid crease incision revealed metastatic scirrhous adenocarcinoma of the breast. The clinical features, investigations, and treatment of orbital metastases from breast carcinoma are discussed.