A CASE OF METASTATIC UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA OF THE RETINA AND VITREOUS

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2016 Nov 8. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000000474. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a rare case of vitreoretinal metastasis from urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 55-year-old male with a history of bladder cancer developed atypical vitritis and a white fundus mass. IV fluorescein angiography demonstrated connection between the retinal and tumor vasculature consistent with a retinal malignancy. Cytologic analysis of the vitreous sample revealed large atypical cells with pleomorphic nuclei, mucin vacuoles, and rare mitotic figures. The cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin markers AE1/AE3, CK7, and CK20 and urothelial carcinoma marker GATA3. Review of the patient's initial bladder tumor revealed an anaplastic epithelial neoplasm with dyscohesive cells that appeared histologically identical to those in the vitreous biopsy. Despite external beam radiation therapy, the patient's vision declined and the eye became painful and was ultimately enucleated.

Conclusion: Retinal metastasis from systemic adenocarcinoma is extremely rare occurrence with poor prognosis for vision.