Ocular Metastasis in Lung Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis in a Single Chinese Hospital and Literature Review

Abstract

Background and objective Eye is a rare site of lung cancer metastasis, and ocular metastasis is one of the largest challenges to cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). Here we present our experience on ocular metastasis of lung cancer and review relevant literature in an attempt to investigate the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of these tumors. Methods The records of 9 patients with ocular metastasis of lung cancer treated at our hospital were analyzed. A literature review identified 42 cases reported in the last 10 years and their medical records were retrospectively estimated. Results The median age of our patients was 51 years (range 41-61). Diagnosis of lung cancer included non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in 7 patients, in which adenocarcinoma (ADC) were recorded in 6 patients, small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) in 1 patient, and unknown in 1 patient. The site of ocular metastasis included choroid (n=8) and iris (n=1). In the literature review, SCLC constituted 21.4% (n=9) and ADC constituted 47.6% (n=20). Choroid presented to be the most common site for eye metastasis (66.7%, n=28). As for disease control rate, systemic chemotherapy for lung cancer patients with ocular metastasis presented to be only 28%. Meanwhile, combination of systemic treatment with ocular treatment could improve patients’ eye symptoms effectively. Conclusion The most common lung cancer that metastasizes to the eye is ADC. The choroid is the most common site for ocular metastasis. Ocular treatment can improve patients’ eye symptoms, while the effect of systemic chemotherapy treatment is limited.

Keywords

• Lung neoplasm
• Eye neoplasms
• Neoplasm metastasis