A clinicopathologic study of three carcinoid tumors metastatic to the orbit. Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA flow cytometric studies

Ophthalmology. 1990 Feb;97(2):257-64. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(90)32617-9.

Abstract

Three patients with histopathologically proven orbital metastatic lesions from a carcinoid tumor are reported. Computed tomography (CT) disclosed a well-circumscribed orbital mass in two of three cases. Each tumor was studied by both light and electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry and DNA flow cytometry. A review of the literature discloses the relatively rare occurrence of carcinoid tumors metastasizing to the eye and orbit. With the exception of one case, the reported metastatic carcinoid tumors to the uvea all developed from primary bronchial carcinoids. In contrast, the vast majority of the reported orbital metastases arose from ileal carcinoids. Immunohistochemical markers such as chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and serotonin have proven to be useful diagnostic tools in evaluating carcinoid tumors. Furthermore, DNA flow cytometry may be of prognostic value in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aneuploidy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Carcinoid Tumor / genetics
  • Carcinoid Tumor / secondary*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / ultrastructure
  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins / metabolism
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Ileal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Orbital Neoplasms / genetics
  • Orbital Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prognosis
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Synaptophysin
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Chromogranin A
  • Chromogranins
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Synaptophysin
  • Serotonin