Adrenocortical carcinoma metastatic to the orbit.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course and histopathologic features of a patient with adrenocortical carcinoma metastatic to the orbit.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

A 24-year-old man first came to medical attention because of symptoms referable to a 4.47-kg, nonfunctioning carcinoma of the left adrenal cortex. Several metastases ensued, including a large tumor to the right superior lateral bony orbit with extension to the brain, temporalis fossa, and orbit proper. The tumor was resected with the use of a combined neurosurgical, ophthalmic, and craniofacial approach. The patient died of widespread metastatic disease 15 months after the orbital operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastasis to the orbit from adrenocortical carcinoma is rare. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, with adjunctive radiation therapy and chemotherapy in some cases. The prognosis is poor.