METASTASI ORBITARIA DA ADENOCARCINOMA MAMMARIO

Ocular metastasis can simulate primary orbital tumors, thyroid miopathy, or orbital inflammation; breast cancer is the most common primary tumor (42%), followed by lung cancer (11%), prostate cancer (8.3%), and melanoma (5.2%). Lateral and superior orbit are the most common quadrants for metastatic tumors. Clinical characteristics are related to the primary tumor biology, and vary substantially among the various primary types; proptosis and motility disturbances are the most common presenting symptoms and signs. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and fine needle aspiration biopsy appear to be the most useful diagnostic tests. Although the prognosis for patients with metastatic tumors is quite poor, specific therapy is available for a growing number of cancer. The authors report a case of a breast cancer metastatic to the orbit, presented with ingravescent proptosis and diplopia 4 years later the excision of the primary tumor.