Ocular metastasis from renal malignancies - A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Oncology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Intraocular masses are often metastatic, with renal malignancies being a rare but significant cause.
• Ocular metastasis from renal tumors can precede the diagnosis of the primary malignancy.
• The eye's lack of a lymphatic system makes it an uncommon site for distant metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review cases of ocular metastasis from renal malignancies.
• To analyze the demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment of these rare ophthalmic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 106 published cases of ocular metastasis from renal malignancies.
• Analysis of tumor types, patient demographics, presentation, and treatment modalities.

Main Results:

• Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was the most common renal malignancy metastasizing to the eye (92 out of 95 known cases).
• 32.6% of patients presented with ocular manifestations before the primary renal diagnosis.
• The uveal tract (choroid, iris, ciliary body) was the most frequently involved ocular structure.
• Treatment involved enucleation, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Ocular metastasis from renal malignancies, predominantly RCC, requires careful consideration in the differential diagnosis of intraocular masses.
• Early recognition of ophthalmic manifestations can be crucial for timely diagnosis and management of renal cancer.
• Multimodal treatment approaches are employed for ocular metastases from renal tumors.