Intraocular Metastasis from an Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Case Report

Division

Far West

Hospital

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

12-31-2025

Keywords

Intraocular metastasis, Intraocular squamous cell carcinoma, case report, metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma

Disciplines

Digestive System Diseases | Eye Diseases | Internal Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neoplasms

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anal cancer is a relatively less common gastrointestinal cancer, with common sites of distant metastasis being para-aortic nodes, liver, lungs, and skin. Intraocular metastasis from anal squamous cell carcinoma is an extremely rare occurrence with no reported cases so far.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of a 70-year-old male with a past medical history of metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma who presented to the oncology clinic with complaints of sudden onset complete vision loss in his right eye. The patient was then referred to a retina specialist and was found to have a posterior choroidal tumor that raised concerns of a primary uveal melanoma

CONCLUSIONS: This case presents the exceptionally rare phenomenon of intraocular metastasis from a primary anal squamous cell carcinoma. Per our literature review, this is the first reported case of such an occurrence, which adds to the clinical complexity of this case in terms of timely diagnosis, effective treatment modalities and prognosis. In these cases, early recognition and diagnosis is critical, as intraocular metastasis significantly affects quality of life as well as overall prognosis. Therefore, through this case report, we aim to highlight the rare intraocular presentation of metastatic anal cell carcinoma, so that clinicians maintain a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating new ophthalmic symptoms in patients with anal cancer.

Publisher or Conference

Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology

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