A long and distant journey: a case of rectal cancer with metastasis to the orbit

Abstract

We present the case of a 33-year-old man with acute onset of eye pain and diplopia as the presenting symptoms of rectal cancer with orbital metastasis. Colorectal cancer with orbital metastasis is exceedingly rare with only 7 cases worldwide despite the prevalence of colorectal cancer. The rarity of this presentation may be related to the long path through multiple vascular beds that tumor emboli from the rectum must travel in order to reach the orbit.

Keywords Rectal cancer, colon cancer, orbit, metastases, eye

Ann Gastroenterol 2015; 28 (1): 151-152