Case of metastatic pulmonary carcinoma in optic disc diagnosed from results of biopsy performed during vitrectomy surgery.

Background: Most intraocular metastatic tumors occur in the uveal tract, while isolated metastasis to the optic nerve is rarely found. We report a case of metastasis to the optic disc from primary lung cancer, diagnosed from biopsy findings obtained during a vitrectomy. Patient and methods: A 69-year-old male presented with gradual visual impairment due to a milky white tumour that extended from the optic disc into the vitreous cavity. A systemic examination revealed primary squamous cell lung cancer. Results: A biopsy specimen was obtained from the optic disc tumor during a vitrectomy, which led to a diagnosis of metastasis from lung cancer. Despite courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died of brain metastasis. Discussion: There are few reports of secondary optic disc tumors and pathological biopsy findings are rare. When a milky white tumor is observed extending from the optic disc, a possible differential diagnosis is metastatic neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]