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Orbital metastasis from cutaneous malignant melanoma
P Ruusuvaara1, K Setälä, A Tarkkanen
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Orbital metastasis is a rare presenting sign of a cutaneous malignant melanoma. Fewer than 30 cases of orbital metastases have been published so far. A 69-year-old man was remitted to our clinic for removal of an orbital tumour verified with CT. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed the tumour to be a metastasis from a cutaneous malignant melanoma diagnosed 4 years earlier. The patient died 3 months after detection of the orbital metastatic tumour. This case illustrates the value of simple fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of orbital tumours.
Insights
Orbital metastasis from cutaneous malignant melanoma is rare. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in a patient with an orbital tumor, highlighting its diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Orbital metastasis as an initial sign of cutaneous malignant melanoma is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 30 cases documented.
- Cutaneous malignant melanoma can metastasize to distant sites, including the orbit, often presenting a diagnostic challenge.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old male presented with an orbital tumor, initially identified via CT scan.
- The orbital tumor was diagnosed as a metastasis from a previously identified cutaneous malignant melanoma (4 years prior).
Findings:
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) proved crucial in diagnosing the orbital tumor as metastatic melanoma.
- The patient's prognosis was poor, with survival of only 3 months post-diagnosis of orbital metastasis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic utility of FNAB in evaluating orbital masses, especially in patients with a history of melanoma.
- Early detection and diagnosis of orbital metastases are critical, although challenging, for patient management and prognosis.
- Further research into the mechanisms and early detection of rare melanoma metastases is warranted.