Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma Presenting as an Orbital Mass: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Pathology

Background:

• Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas (ESCCs) are aggressive neuroendocrine tumors with poor prognoses.
• Orbital involvement by ESCC is exceptionally rare, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Observation:

• A 47-year-old male presented with ocular symptoms including blurry vision, lacrimation, and right eye tenderness, alongside a palpable temporal mass.
• Diagnostic workup revealed ESCC with orbital, liver, and spinal metastases.

Findings:

• The patient received systemic chemotherapy for metastatic ESCC.
• Despite treatment, the disease progressed rapidly, leading to death within one year of diagnosis.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical need for developing effective treatment strategies for orbital ESCC.
• The potential role of novel immunotherapies in managing this rare and aggressive malignancy warrants further investigation.