Solitary iris metastasis from breast cancer with dramatic course: case report

Abstract

Intraocular metastases are the most common malignancy of eye. Breast cancer is more frequently a cause of intraocular metastases. As a first metastatic site, iris and ciliary body are relatively rare. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman, operated for breast cancer 16 months ago and diagnosed multiple brain metastases 1 month ago. After first course of chemotherapy she was admitted to hospital with the complaints of eye pain and she recognized a solid mass on iris. Iris and ciliary metastases were diagnosed by ophthalmological examination. Because of the patient's poor general condition, diagnostic aspiration from eye metastasis could not be performed. Intramedullary mass was determined 1 month later and she died 2 months later. Ciliary body and iris metastases of breast cancer must be considered as a manifestation of aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. The eye metastases of breast cancer are a part of systemic illness and must be treated by systemic chemotherapy.