Secondary and metastatic tumors of the orbit.

We have presented three cases of metastatic tumor to the orbit. The first case illustrated metastatic tumor that originated from a cutaneous basosquamous cell carcinoma. This lesion, first reported by MacCormac as being morphologically intermediate between basal and squamous cell carcinoma, has become a topic of some controversy. Conley reported these tumors to represent 1% of basal cell carcinomas. Several authors have reported a higher incidence of recurrence with these lesions, as compared with the ordinary basal cell tumors. Recurrence of basal cell carcinomas are reported as approximately 10%, but are four times greater in the basosquamous cell tumors. The incidence of metastasis with the basosquamous cell tumors has been reported in between 37% and 51% of cases. The second case represented involvement of the orbit by direct extension of a facial squamous cell carcinoma. As illustrated by this case, these tumors can be very aggressive and should be treated with respect. The third case showed the metastatic potential of the nephroblastoma with metastatic tumor that involved the eye, orbit, and maxilla. Diagnostic techniques available in evaluation of these tumors include CT scan, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasound, open biopsy, and fine-needle aspiration. Li et al., in an article that compared MR imaging, CT scan, and ultrasound concluded that MR imaging, with the use of the 0.15 T resistive magnet, offered no distinct advantage over the combination of CT and ultrasound in evaluation of patients with orbital tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)