Histochemical analysis of breast carcinoma metastatic to the orbit

A 62-year-old woman was seen for evaluation of an orbital tumor. Recognition of a relatively rare syndrome of pain, ptosis, and a progressively immobilized globe with enophthalmos suggested the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma to the left orbit. In this case, this was confirmed by open breast and orbital biopsies, revealing infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma. This is the first reported case where estrogen and progesterone receptors were identified in a metastatic orbital tumor using fluorescent histochemical techniques. This technique was of value in confirming the diagnosis and providing direction for subsequent endocrinologic palliative therapy.