Choroidal and optic nerve metastases

Description

The most common primary malignancies producing choroidal metastases are carcinomas of the breast and lung. Malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, thyroid, prostate and skin are less common sources. Malignant cells reach the choroid through the bloodstream, tend to grow rapidly, and generally imply a poor prognosis for the patient (median survival is less than one year from the time of diagnosis).

It is likely that most choroidal metastases remain asymptomatic, or are overshadowed by the patient's burden of disease elsewhere, and remain undetected. Occasionally, the primary malignancy was treated many years previously, and choroidal metastases are the first presentation of tumor dissemination. One-quarter of patients have no prior diagnosis of malignancy.