Metastatic carcinoma of the breast: a case with the unusual presentation of unilateral periorbital edema.
BACKGROUND
Metastasis of mammary cancer involving the orbit is common, and it typically presents with enophthalmos and restrictions of ocular motility. We report a case of mammary cancer with the unusual presentation of unilateral periorbital edema only. The possible mechanisms of unilateral periorbital swelling are discussed.


METHODS
Metastasis of breast cancer involving unilateral eyelid edema was diagnosed in a 66-year-old woman. A biopsy was performed to confirm the etiology after vague neuroimaging findings. The diagnosis was based on the histopathologic features of carcinomatous cells in the excised specimen.


METHODS
Insidious, progressive unilateral upper and lower eyelid swelling of the right eye disappeared after one cycle of palliative chemotherapy. Neither restriction nor proptosis developed in the whole course.


CONCLUSIONS
Possible metastasis should be considered as a possible etiology of unilateral eyelid edema, even without a palpable mass or limitation of ocular motility. A biopsy should be performed in cases of unexplained eyelid edema.
Kuo
Shu-Chen
SC
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Taiwan, China.
Hsiao
Shih-Chuan
SC
Department of Oncology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Taiwan, China.
Chiou
Chien-Chun
CC
Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chiayi, Taiwan, China.
Chen
Fen-Fen
FF
Department of Pathology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Taiwan, China.
Huang
Kuo-Chan
KC
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Taiwan, China. kuosc@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D043823:Taxoids; D005641:Tegafur; D000077143:Docetaxel; D007633:Keratins; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000068878:Trastuzumab
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