Cancer-Associated Retinopathy Worsening After Tumor Resection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

To report an unusual presentation of cancer associated retinopathy and review the current literature for diagnostic consensus and recommended management.

A single case report of a patient with cancer associated retinopathy that presented as bilateral severe anterior and intermediate uveitis that initially improved with high-dose steroids and IVIG. The patient was assessed via serum laboratory testing, optical coherence tomography, fundus auto-fluorescence, magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, computed tomography, and Humphrey visual field testing. A targeted literature review was conducted to evaluate visual outcomes in cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) following tumor-directed therapy by searching Google Scholar from 2022 through April 2026. Studies reporting visual outcomes after tumor resection were included.

The patient initially greatly improved after initiation of IV methylprednisolone and IVIG and was stable for four months, but after the patient stopped IVIG due to insurance issues and was tapered off steroids, her vision acutely worsened after undergoing extensive resection of her pelvic mass.

Though tumor resection is paramount to patient survival, it may negatively impact the course of cancer-associated retinopathy, particularly in the setting of withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy. A review of the literature demonstrates heterogeneous visual outcomes following tumor removal, emphasizing the need for careful perioperative management.