An early orbital metastasis from breast cancer: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Orbital metastases from solid cancers are infrequent or underestimated, since they represent only 1–13% of tumors of the orbit. They are even less frequent in breast cancer and are rarely diagnosed. We report a case of an early diagnosed orbital metastasis from breast cancer to an extra ocular muscle. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 33-year-old female patient who presented, following the diagnosis of her breast cancer, headache, a progressive decrease in visual acuity of the right eye and diplopia. Brain imaging revealed a tissue process at the expense of the internal rectus muscle, which biopsy pointed to a secondary lesion of breast cancer. DISCUSSION: Extraocular muscles are rarely infiltrated by metastasis from distant sites. They are mostly asymptomatic and suggest a systematic spread of the disease. The treatment is generally palliative and the prognosis is generally poor. CONCLUSION: Orbital metastases from breast cancer are certainly rare but are associated with significant morbidity. In order to make a precise diagnosis and offer an appropriate treatment, healthcare professionals must remain vigilant in the face of any ophthalmological symptoms.