Thymic carcinoma metastatic to the orbit.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of small cell carcinoma of the thymus metastatic to the orbit.


METHODS
At age 37 years, a man who had been previously diagnosed and treated for small cell carcinoma of the thymus was initially examined for vertical diplopia and left proptosis. Computed tomographic scan disclosed a soft tissue mass in the superior aspect of the left orbit. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the mass was performed and submitted for cytopathologic examination.


RESULTS
The cytopathology and immunopathology disclosed malignant cells consistent with metastatic small cell thymic carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of a primary thymus gland tumor metastatic to the orbit.
Stockl
F A
FA
Oculoplastics and Orbital Service, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Tucker
N
N
Burnier
M N
MN
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed