Ocular symptoms as the initial clinical manifestations in patients with extraocular tumors

Introduction

Extraocular tumors may cause severe ocular symptoms depending on the site of the primary lesion (1-3). Extraocular tumors refer to primary tumors located outside the eyeball, mainly including intracranial tumors, as well as tumors involving the nasopharynx, lung, breast, liver, and other organs in the body (2). Due to space occupying compression of the visual pathway, intracranial tumors typically cause optic nerve dysfunction, presenting with the signs of papilledema or optic atrophy and symptoms such as visual loss and visual field (VF) defects (4). Other neurological complications such as severe headache, projectile vomiting, and disturbance of consciousness, may arise if the extraocular tumor also causes a rise in intracranial pressure (5). In addition, dysphagia and dysarthria may occur if the tumor causes cranial nerve palsies (6). Some orbital tumors, such as an infiltrating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), may compress the eyeball, leading to proptosis and ocular motility disorders as the presenting feature (1-3). The choroid of the eye can often be a site of metastatic spread from extraocular tumors via a hematogenous route because of its abundant vasculature. Most commonly, a choroidal metastasis would spread from a primary tumor in the lung or breast (7) and since the patient may be asymptomatic from the primary tumor, the choroidal metastasis may be the primary presentation. Due to the variety of clinical presentations, an extraocular tumor may be misdiagnosed leading to delays in management and the early detection and diagnosis of these extraocular tumors is important to ensure prompt treatment is initiated to avoid further complications. In this study, we report a series of cases where an extraocular tumor initially presented with ophthalmic manifestations and highlight the important features that should alert an ophthalmologist to urgently investigate and refer the patient. We present the following article in accordance with the STROBE reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-21-830).

Methods

Subjects

This retrospective study conformed to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and was approved by the review board of the Ethics Committee of the Joint Shantou International Eye Center (JSIEC). Informed consent was exempt due to the retrospective nature of the study. The medical records of patients presenting between April 2013 and December 2019 and who met the following criteria were included: (I) Initially referred to an eye clinic in the Joint Shantou International Eye Center due to ocular symptoms without a known history of systemic tumors at presentation; (II) subsequently diagnosed as having intracranial or other systemic tumors confirmed by imaging and biopsy results in general hospitals. The exclusion criteria included any of the following: (I) diagnosed with primary ocular tumors or having other ocular diseases not relating to an extraocular tumor; (II) a history of intracranial and systemic tumors before presenting to the eye clinic.

Ophthalmic examination

Details of the clinical history and examination findings taken at the first visit were recorded. Ocular examinations including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement with standard Snellen visual acuity chart, intraocular pressure (IOP) by non-contact tonometry, and dilated fundus examinations, were performed on all patients. Other ophthalmic findings including those of a VF test for patients with visual loss and disc pallor (n=11), fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA) for those with choroidal mass (n=5), and visual evoked potential (VEP) for patients with disc swelling (n=4) were also recorded, although four patients were unable to perform the VF test due to poor visual function bilaterally. BCVA was converted to the log of the minimum angle of resolution for statistical purposes. As previously published, count finger was assigned as 1.85logMAR, hand motion as 2.30logMAR, and light perception as 2.60logMAR (8).

Systemic examinations and surgical interventions

All patients included in this study were examined by a general physician at the general hospital. Radiological imaging, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT), and orbital MRI and/or CT, were performed in patients with suspected intracranial tumors, and chest X-ray and CT, and abdominal color Duplex ultrasonography were performed in those with suspected systemic tumors. Nasal endoscopy was conducted in three patients in addition to the radiological imaging for further confirmation of an NPC. Information on surgical interventions and histopathological results from biopsies were also recorded. Ten patients with intracranial tumors received surgical operations to remove the tumors and their types, sizes, and locations were determined. Radiotherapy was conducted in those patients with NPC and conservative treatment was given to all other patients. The definite diagnosis of the tumor was made according to radiological findings and pathological results from surgical biopsies.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Quantitative data were present as mean ± standard deviation (SD). BCVA was converted to logMAR before statistical analysis.

Results

Demographics

A total of 23 patients were included, of which seven were male (30.4%) and 16 were female (69.6%) and the mean age at presentation was 54.0±12.2 years. Baseline data are list in Table 1.

Table 1 Clinical data in patients with extraocular tumors
Full table

Ocular findings in patients with extraocular tumors

Of note, vision loss was the most common presenting symptom at the first visit (n=20, 87.0%), while eyelid swelling and proptosis were the presenting features in two patients (8.7%), and diplopia in one patient (4.3%). The mean duration of presenting ocular symptoms in all individuals was 2.5±2.8 months, with nearly half of the patients (n=12) complaining of acute vision loss for less than one month. At presentation, none of the patients complained of systemic symptoms, including but not limited to loss of weight, weakness, headache, vomiting, jaundice, hemoptysis, thoracodynia, coughing, dyspnea, or irregular menstruation. The BCVA in the affected eyes was (1.14±0.90) logMAR, ranging between 2.60logMAR (light perception) and 0.10logMAR (20/25). IOP was normal in all individuals (14.4±3.8 mmHg). On ocular examination, disc pallor was observed in eight eyes, whereas hyperemia and disc swelling were found in three (Figure 1). In addition, choroidal mass with or without chorioretinal detachment was seen in five eyes and proptosis was noted in two patients. Eleven patients underwent VF testing due to vision loss with disc pallor or swelling and among these, homonymous hemianopia was found in one patient and unilateral temporal hemianopia, combined with partial VF defect (n=2) and tunnel vision (n=1) in the contralateral eye, was found in three patients. Unilateral tunnel vision was detected in one patient and by contrast, early change or irregular defect in the VF pattern unilaterally or bilaterally was noted in six patients (Figure 2). Five patients with a choroidal mass with or without chorioretinal detachment received FFA examination and VEP was performed in four patients due to optic disc swelling. The results showed prolonged latency and reduced amplitude of the P100 response in the affected eyes.

Figure 1 Clinical findings in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. (A) Ocular fundus photography showed acute papillary hyperemia and edema; (B) VEP test revealed prolonged latency and reduced amplitude in the right eye; (C) MRI imaging showed a mass located in the orbital apex and top of the nasopharynx with intermediate T1 signal that could be enhanced (arrow indicated); (D) the mass in the same place was observed by CT scanning (arrow indicated); (E) histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. hematoxylin-eosin staining, 200×. Scale bar: 50 µm. VEP, visual evoked potential.

Figure 2 Clinical findings in a patient with pituitary adenoma. (A,B) Visual field test showed an irregular defect in the left eye (A) and incomplete hemianopsia in the right eye (B). (C) MRI scanning revealed a high-density mass presenting with the “hourglass sign” (arrow indicated).

Diagnosis of extraocular tumors and follow-up information

All patients were referred to the general hospital for systemic examination and a definitive diagnosis was made within a few weeks based on imaging examination and surgical biopsy results. Brain MRI and/or CT demonstrated intracranial tumors in 15 individuals, including pituitary adenoma (n=7), meningioma (n=2) (Figure 3), oligodendroglioma (n=1), sellar tumor (n=1), orbital glioma (n=1), suprachiasmatic arteriovenous aneurysm (n=1), multiple intracranial tumors (n=1), and sphenoid ossifying fibroma (n=1). NPC was confirmed in three patients through nasopharyngoscopy and MRI imaging. In addition, five patients with a choroidal mass received systemic examination (chest CT and X-ray, abdominal CT and ultrasonography, and PET-CT) and were eventually diagnosed as primary lung cancer (n=3) (Figure 4), hepatoma (n=1), and breast cancer (n=1). The average tumor size as determined by CT or MRI imaging was 2.3 cm × 2.7 cm; the relatively small lesion size indicating the tumors were early stage. Surgical excision and biopsy were performed in 10 patients, and a final diagnosis with tumor classification then determined. Notably, four patients with pituitary tumors were followed up in the ophthalmic clinic several months after tumor excision, of which three showed improvement of their VF with maintained visual acuity. One patient had a reduction in visual function post-operatively.

Figure 3 Images of a patient diagnosed with meningioma. (A,B) OCT and FFA exam revealed monocular serous neuroepithelial detachment of the central macular region. (C) MRI imaging showing an intermediate density soft tissue mass located in the suprasellar region (arrow indicated). OCT, optical coherence tomography; FFA, fluorescence fundus angiography.

Figure 4 Images of a patient diagnosed with choroidal metastatic carcinoma secondary to lung cancer. (A,B) Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (A) and B-scanning (B) showing a choroidal mass combined with inferior retinal detachment. (C) The mass (arrow indicated) exhibited a low and heterogeneous T2 signal in MRI imaging. (D) Chest X-ray revealed hyper-density masses (arrow indicated) in the left upper lung field.

Discussion

Patients with intracranial or systemic tumors may not initially experience neurological or systemic symptoms. Instead, their presenting complaint may be caused by the space occupying lesion compressing their visual pathway, leading to vision loss or other ocular symptoms (9,10). Early detection and diagnosis of extraocular tumors are very important to start prompt treatment avoid further complications. In this study, we reviewed those patients with intracranial or other systemic tumors who initially presented with ocular symptoms to an ophthalmologist. The variety of presentations raises awareness about the importance of careful neuro-ophthalmic and systemic examination to avoid misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of extraocular tumors.

Intracranial tumors can cause progressive visual loss and VF defects long before the presence of neurological complications (3) and pituitary adenomas and meningiomas are the two most common types of adult intracranial tumors (10). Pituitary adenomas were the most prevalent tumor in this cohort of patients, being diagnosed in 30% of cases. This tumor typically presents with bitemporal hemianopia and will produce only mild endocrinological or intracranial hypertension symptoms in its early stages (11,12), although paralysis of the cranial nerves and diplopia can sometimes develop due to parasellar extension of the mass (13,14). Imaging examinations including brain CT and MRI are essential to determine the diagnosis. The most common clinical symptoms of meningiomas include headache, anosmia, and personality alteration (15), although in a few cases, larger meningiomas may infiltrate the frontal lobe and compress the optic chiasm leading to visual loss and VF defects (16). In this study, two patients were diagnosed with meningiomas and both patients were initially misdiagnosed due to their mild neurological symptoms and atypical VF defects.

At presentation, the hemianopia caused by an intracranial tumor can be asymmetrical, incomplete, or irregular (3). In this study, only one patient developed a typical symmetrical homonymous hemianopia due to a suprachiasmatic aneurysm, while a monocular hemianopia was seen in three patients and an incomplete hemianopia, irregular VF defect, or tunnel vision was seen in six. Possible explanations for the atypical VF pattern may include: (I) the differences in location and size of the mass resulting in asymmetrical compression of the visual pathway; (II) early intracranial tumors which are small may result in only mild optic nerve compression, whereas large tumors may lead to tunnel vision due to long-term compression; and (III) in some patients the VF test was unreliable due to poor visual function. Patients with irregular or unusual VF loss should have an intracranial tumor considered as part of the differential diagnosis as frequently, tumor-induced VF defects and optic nerve atrophy are misdiagnosed as open-angle glaucoma or high myopia, especially when the change of VF pattern is atypical (17). Careful assessment is needed for these patients at their first ophthalmic visit.

Tumor-associated ocular symptoms can also be attributed to compression from non-CNS tumors within the orbit. An NPC is an epithelial cancer originating from the nasopharynx, and is most prevalent in southern China and Southeast Asia (18). An enlarging NPC within the ethmoidal sinus can lead to proptosis and ocular motility disorders, and its compression can cause optic disc swelling and VF defects (19,20). In clinical practice, NPC should be considered when patients present with vision loss and eye motility disorders, particularly when associated with nasal symptoms or cervical lymphadenopathy.

In this case series, five patients were diagnosed with a choroidal mass, with or without chorioretinal detachment, and B-scan and FFA demonstrated a space occupying lesions at the posterior wall of the eyeball. Chest X-ray and CT, abdominal ultrasonography, and hematological examinations confirmed the metastasis to be secondary to lung (n=3), breast (n=1), and liver (n=1). All patients presented with vision loss due to choroidal metastasis and none had symptoms associated with their primary tumor. As previously reported, intraocular metastases occur in over 10% of patients with systemic malignancies (21). The tumor can metastasize to the eye via the hematogenous route, and hence the posterior choroid is frequently the site of metastatic spread due to its abundant vasculature. A previous study of 84 patients with lung cancer showed that choroidal metastases occurred in 7.1% several months after the primary tumor was diagnosed (22). Another publication reported that in approximately one-third of patients, lung cancer was confirmed after the patient was diagnosed with a choroidal metastasis (23). In addition, choroidal metastases should not be mistaken for a choroidal melanoma, choroidal hemangioma, or central serous chorioretinopathy. Ocular examinations including FFA, B-scan and color doppler imaging, as well as systemic examinations such as chest X-ray, CT, MRI, and tumor markers can be helpful in determining the diagnosis (24).

The sensitivity and specificity of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of intracranial tumors has previously been reported (25). The relatively small difference in density of some small tumors produces a larger intensity alteration on an MRI scan making this a preferable method compared to CT. In addition, MRI does not expose the patient to radiation, there is no requirement to use iodinated intravenous contrast agents, and there is good elimination of bone artifacts (25). One of our patients (case 6) suffered from an acute vision loss in her right eye. Ocular examinations showed disc swelling, irregular VF defects, and prolonged latency and reduced amplitude of the P100 VEP response, and an Orbital CT showed a space-occupying lesion at the inferior orbital fissure suggestive of a meningioma or glioma. However, enhanced MRI later demonstrated a lesion in the nasal pharynx which extended into the inferior orbital fissure through the foramen lacerum. The MRI had correctly identified the tumor to be an NPC which was later confirmed using electronic rhinolaryngoscopy. This demonstrates the superiority of MRI in detecting and identifying brain tumors.

It is also noted that six patients in this series were initially misdiagnosed by inexperienced young ophthalmologists, including choroidal metastases (n=2) misdiagnosed as central serous chorioretinopathy and exudative retinal detachment respectively, NPC (n=1) misdiagnosed as acute optic neuritis, and intracranial tumors (n=3) misdiagnosed as primary optic atrophy. The diagnosis was corrected at a subsequent visit by an experienced specialist. The possible reasons for misdiagnosis may include an incomplete inquiry to the history, incomprehensive consideration for the unexplainable vision loss, and a lack of specialized knowledge in neuro-ophthalmology.

Conclusions

We reported a series of patients who initially presented to an ophthalmic clinic with ocular symptoms and were finally diagnosed with an intracranial or systemic tumor. The manifestations of the tumors are varied and complicated due to their type, location, size, and growth. For cases with unknown vision loss, an intracranial tumor should be considered and further examinations including VF test and radiological imaging are necessary. Cases presenting with exudative retinal detachment or serous chorioretinopathy should be further investigated for choroidal metastasis with systemic imaging and tumor markers. This study highlights the importance for ophthalmologists to remain vigilant and thorough when evaluating patients to avoid any delay in the diagnosis and management of intracranial and systemic tumors.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the STROBE reporting checklist. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-21-830

Data Sharing Statement: Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-21-830

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-21-830). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. This retrospective study conformed to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and was approved by the review board of the Ethics Committee of the Joint Shantou International Eye Center (JSIEC). Informed consent was exempt due to the retrospective nature of the study.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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(English Language Editor: B. Draper)