Ocular metastasis

Ocular metastases, also termed uveal metastases, are the most common intraocular malignant tumours, and are probably underdiagnosed ¹. Ocular metastases need to be distinguished from extraocular metastasis, a quite different group of tumours.

This article will discuss metastatic lesions affecting the ocular globe. For other intracranial metastatic locations, please refer to the main article on intracranial metastases.

Epidemiology

Prevalence is estimated at 5-10% of patients with cancer ¹.

Pathology

They are almost universally non-calcified masses within the orbit and (as the name would suggest) within the uveal layer.

The common primary sites that result in ocular metastases are:

• common

  • breast carcinoma

  • lung carcinoma

• less common:

  • gastrointestinal tract carcinomas

  • genitourinary tract carcinomas

  • cutaneous melanoma

  • neuroblastoma

• rare

  • papillary thyroid carcinoma ²

  • testicular carcinoma ³