Orbital metastasis as the presenting symptom of extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Detailed herein are two cases of small cell lung cancer first presenting with orbital metastasis. Orbital metastasis from solid tumors is a rare entity. The predominating primaries in Western countries are breast and lung tumors; hepatocellular and gastric malignancies lead in Japanese series. Clinical symptoms and findings reflect the mass effect and the degree of extra-ocular muscle invasion. Treatment is guided by the cancer type and the tumor histology. The prognosis is grim, and with the exception of rare cases secondary to hormone-responsive tumors, the majority of patients succumb to their disease within a year of diagnosis.