Benefit of surgery in presence of orbital metastasis

PURPOSE: Malignant tumors metastatic to the orbit are rare and only about 5% of orbital tumors are metastasis. We report on orbital surgery in a patient with orbital metastasis from small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). METHODS: A 75-year-old man complained of pain in the left orbital region and proptosis. Head CT scan showed a left retrobulbar mass compressing the optical nerve. Chest and body CT scans showed a round-shaped mass at the apex of the left inferior lobule of the lung and widespread nodal involvement. RESULTS:A surgical intervention on the left orbit through a lateral approach was performed, with complete removal of the mass. Histology showed features of a non-anaplastic SCLC. A complete restoration of visual acuity was obtained CONCLUSIONS: A debulking orbital surgery, in order to relieve optic nerve compression, should be offered to the patients with orbital metastasis.