Choroidal metastases from breast carcinoma: a survey of 42 patients and the use of radiation therapy.
Visual disturbances in patients with breast carcinoma may result from choroidal metastases. Metastases were bilateral in 41% of patients and the choroid was the first site of metastasis in 25%. Therefore awareness of this 'rare' condition is essential for any doctor seeing patients with breast cancer; consultation with an ophthalmologist and radiotherapist is mandatory. Radiation therapy is the treatment of choice, producing an 80% response rate (complete resolution in 25%). The final catastrophe of blindness in these patients can be prevented.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology