Intraocular metastasis: comparison of clinical presentation with a known and unknown primary tumour

The purpose of the present study is to review the frequency of intraocular metastases as first presentation of systemic disease, and to identify clinical and tumour characteristics.

Retrospective study of consecutive cases diagnosed of intraocular metástasis at a referral intraocular tumours unit between 1993 and 2014. General, epidemiological and ophthalmological characteristics were recorded.

A total of 21 patients, with a mean age 62.7 years (31-89) were diagnosed with intraocular metástasis between 1993 and 2014. Both eyes were affected in 4 cases. Location was choroid in 20 cases. The intraocular tumour was the first manifestation of the systemic disease in 13 patients (61.9%). Primary tumour was breast in 47.6% and lung in 23.8%. Diagnosis of the primary tumour was performed by systemic studies, and only 1 patient required intraocular biopsy. Regarding the treatment, the majority of cases were controlled with systemic therapy, with 4 cases requiring additional external beam radiotherapy, and only one enucleation. No clinical differences were found between the cases with known and unknown systemic neoplasia, except in exudative retinal detachment, which was more frequent in the second group.

Although intraocular metastases are the most frequent intraocular tumour, they are not a frequent cause of consultation. In more than half of the cases it is the first presentation of unknown systemic neoplasia as a solitary non-pigmented intraocular mass. Early diagnosis is crucial to establish the appropriate treatment, preserve visual function, and improve the prognosis of the patient.