Exophthalmos as a First Manifestation of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer is characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis. Despite its sensitivity to cytotoxic therapy, until now treatments have failed to control or cure this disease in most patients. Οrbital metastases are a rare manifestation of systemic malignancies. Breast and lung cancers represent more than two thirds of the primary cancer sites. Metastases to the eye and orbit develop in approximately 0.7–12% of patients with lung cancer. Here, we report a rare case of exophthalmos as the first manifestation of a metastatic carcinoma due to small cell lung cancer, and a 6-months follow-up with complete exophthalmic response to chemotherapy.

A case of misconstrue proptosis

“…Some recommended management should be discomfort relieving, since surgery is likely to only further spread the metastasis in a patient with limited lifespan 1. However, surgical debulking of the tumour in patients with compressive optic neuropathy has been reported to be the optimum treatment and visually restorative 4.…”