Thymic carcinoma metastatic to the orbit.

PURPOSE: To report a case of small cell carcinoma of the thymus metastatic to the orbit.

METHODS

At age 37 years, a man who had been previously diagnosed and treated for small cell carcinoma of the thymus was initially examined for vertical diplopia and left proptosis. Computed tomographic scan disclosed a soft tissue mass in the superior aspect of the left orbit. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the mass was performed and submitted for cytopathologic examination.

RESULT: The cytopathology and immunopathology disclosed malignant cells consistent with metastatic small cell thymic carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of a primary thymus gland tumor metastatic to the orbit.