Published in:
01-12-2011 | Pathology
Case of metastatic pulmonary carcinoma in optic disc diagnosed from results of biopsy performed during vitrectomy surgery
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 12/2011
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Background
Most intraocular metastatic tumors occur in the uveal tract, while isolated metastasis to the optic nerve is rarely found. We report a case of metastasis to the optic disc from primary lung cancer, diagnosed from biopsy findings obtained during a vitrectomy.
Patient and methods
A 69-year-old male presented with gradual visual impairment due to a milky white tumour that extended from the optic disc into the vitreous cavity. A systemic examination revealed primary squamous cell lung cancer.
Results
A biopsy specimen was obtained from the optic disc tumor during a vitrectomy, which led to a diagnosis of metastasis from lung cancer. Despite courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died of brain metastasis.
Discussion
There are few reports of secondary optic disc tumors and pathological biopsy findings are rare. When a milky white tumor is observed extending from the optic disc, a possible differential diagnosis is metastatic neoplasm.