Choroidal Metastases
From EyeWiki
Article summary goes here.
Contents |
Disease Entity
The uvea is the most common site for ocular metastasis. Within the uvea, 88% of metastases are to the choroid, followed by metastases to the iris (9%) and ciliary body (2%). This large difference is thought due to the distribution of blood supply, which heavily favors the choroid as compared to the iris or ciliary body.
Shields and associates published a comprehensive survey of uveal metastases in 520 eyes of 420 patients with a total of 950 uveal metastases. The most common primary cancer sites for uveal metastasis in males were lung (40%), gastrointestinal (9%), kidney (8%), and other. The primary site was unknown at the time of presentation in 29% of males. In females, the most common sites included breast (68%), lung (12%), and other (4%). The primary site was unknown at the time of presentation in 12% of females.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer to metastasize to the choroid (47% total in men and women combined). In a study of 264 patients with uveal metastases from breast cancer, 62% of patients had unilateral metastasis at presentation. Most (99%) metastases were yellow in color, 77% had a plateau configuration, 89% were found in the posterior pole, and 64% showed related subretinal fluid. Patients with breast cancer metastatic to the uvea show survival rates of 65% at one year, 35% at three years, and 24% at 5 years.
Physical examination
Choroidal metastases are typically yellow in color (in 95% of lesions), have a plateau configuration, and are associated with subretinal fluid. Choroidal metastases are anatomically located between the macula and equator (80%), within the confines of the macula (12%) and anterior to the equator (8%). The mean tumor thickness is 3mm, but some solitary tumors can be much larger.
Although lesions are yellow in color in most cases, lesions may be orange (from renal cell, carcinoid, and thyroid) or brown (from skin melanoma).
Symptoms
Patients most often present with blurred vision (70%), flashes and floaters (12%), and pain (7%). It is not uncommon for metastases to be found in asymptomatic patients (11%).
Clinical diagnosis
Add text here
Diagnostic procedures
Ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and fundus autofluorescence are all used to aid in the diagnosis of choroidal metastases.
Ultrasound can be very useful in diagnosis. A-scan will typically show moderate to high internal reflectivity. B-scan will identify an echogenic choroidal mass and may show secondary retinal detachment.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis of metastasis and aid in identifying the primary cancer. There are few risks associated with FNAB. In a study of 159 FNABs for suspected intraocular tumors, the most common complication was subretinal hemmorhage in 13% of patients. There were no cases of retinal detachments or tumor recurrence at the biopsy site or orbital recurrence. Adequate cytologic material was obtained in 88% of cases, with a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98%.
Laboratory test
Add text here
Differential diagnosis
Choroidal Amelanotic Melanoma
Choroidal Amelanotic Nevus
Posterior Scleritis
Choroidal Hemangioma
Choroidal Granuloma
Choroidal Osteoma
Posterior Uveal Effusion Syndrome
VKH
Central Serous Retinopathy
Infectious lesions
Organized subretinal hemorrhage
Management
Regarding treatment of choroidal metastases, it is important to first assess the patient’s systemic status. This can be done with a thorough history, physical exam, laboratory evaluation, and imaging studies.
It is also important to assess the condition of the opposite eye and examine for multifocality of tumors.
General treatment
Treatment for choroidal metastases include systemic chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy as well as plaque radiotherapy, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and/or photodynamic therapy.
Plaque radiotherapy is usually reserved for solitary metastases. This modality offers precise, controlled radiation delivery to the eye. Furthermore, it is a quick treatment modality, requiring only 3 to 4 days of treatment, as compared with EBRT, which may require 3 to 4 weeks of therapy. Treatment duration is an important consideration in uveal metastases as the average life expectancy for these patients is less than one year.
Several considerations should be taken into account when designing plaque radiotherapy and radiation exposure time. These include the size and thickness of the metastasis, the distance of the lesion from the optic nerve, and the distance of the lesion from the foveola. Complications from plaque radiotherapy are similar to those of external beam and other radiation therapies, including radiation retinopathy, papillopathy, and cataract. These side effects are uncommon, especially given the short life expectancy of many patients.
Additional Resources
Add text here
References
1. Shields CL, Shields JA, Gross N, Schwartz G, Lally S. Survey of 520 eyes with uveal metastases. Ophthalmology, 1997;104:1265-76.
2. Demirci H, Shields CL, Chao A-N, Shields JA. Uveal Metastasis from Breast Cancer in 264 Patients. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2003;136,2:264-71.
3. Shields JA, Shields CL, Ehya H, Eagle RC, Jr, DePotter P. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of suspected intraocular tumors. The 1992 Urwick Lecture. Ophthalmology 1993;100:1677-1684.
4. Shields CL, Shields JA, De Potter P, Quarante M, Friere J, Brady LW, Barrett J. Plaque radiotherapy for the management of uveal metastasis. Arch Ophthalmology 1997;115:203-9.
5. BCSC Section 4: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors. Chapter 20. 2010-2011.
