Cutaneous melanoma metastasizing to the iris and choroid: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous melanoma is a primary tumour that rarely produces intraocular metastases. We report on a 47-year-old woman who was referred to our outpatient department because of anisocoria.


METHODS
A cutaneous melanoma of the upper left arm had been excised 21 months ago with subsequent polychemotherapy for lymph node involvement. Visual acuity and intraocular tension were normal. The left iris showed a brownish, parapupillary, prominent nodule. In both eyes, multiple circumscribed whitish choroidal sub-pigment epithelial tumours were observed.


RESULTS
General metastasis to lymph nodes, pleura, lungs, mucosa and skin was diagnosed. The patient died 2 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Metastases of cutaneous melanoma to the iris are extremely rare. The ophthalmologist may be helpful in monitoring treatment by quantitative documentation at follow-up.
Viestenz
Arne
A
Department of Ophthalmology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Arne.Viestenz@t-online.de
Berger
Thomas
T
Küchle
Michael
M
D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015811:Iris Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography