CHOROIDAL METASTASES FROM RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

Background: Choroidal metastases from renal cell carcinoma are uncommo n. The authors investigated the clinical characteristics of patients w ith renal cell carcinoma in whom choroidal metastases developed. Metho ds: The clinical records of five patients with histopathologically con firmed renal cell carcinoma and choroidal metastases were reviewed ret rospectively. Results: In four patients, choroidal metastases were eit her the sole initial manifestation of disease or were the initial mani festation of metastatic disease, The interval from nephrectomy to the onset of ocular signs ranged from 6 to 18 years, A reddish-orange appe arance of the tumor was present in two patients, but no pathognomonic features distinguishing these tumors from other choroidal metastases w ere identified, Conclusions: Ocular metastases may precede the diagnos is of renal cell carcinoma or may follow it by years or decades, This interval between its ocular and systemic presentation may be so prolon ged as to obscure the relation between the choroidal metastases and th e primary tumor. In patients with amelanotic or reddish choroidal lesi ons without known metastatic disease, evaluation of the kidney may be warranted as part of a metastatic workup to exclude metastatic renal c ell carcinoma.