Orbital Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Recently elongation of life in cancer patients by modern treatment modalities is thought to be attributed to the increase in the frequency of metastatic tumors in the orbit. The characteristic feature of metastatic orbital tumors is rapid progression associated with motor and sensory symptoms. The authors experienced orbital metastais of hepatocellular carcinoma in a 45-year-old male patient, proven histopathologically. As far as we know, only three histologically proven cases been reported in the literature. Besides, no orbital metastasis of hepatoma has been reproted in Korea, where heaptitis and hepatoma are highly prevalent. Because metastatic hepatoma has highly developed vasculature, surgeons should be aware that intractable bleeding may obstruct the further progression of the palliative surgery, as in our case.