Orbital lesions, an exceedingly rare site of neuroendocrine tumor metastasis

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms arising primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and lung. The liver is the most common site of metastases, but these tumors can rarely metastasize to atypical sites. Surgery is the only curative approach while the optimal medical treatment is debated. From this perspective, a multidisciplinary approach for each single case becomes very important. In this report we describe the case of a male affected by a single intraorbital metastasis from a midgut well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The patient refused surgical removal and therefore he was at first treated with stereotactic radiotherapy and systemic treatment with a somatostatin analog (SSA). After achieving a stable disease for four months he underwent primary tumor resection. Six years after the initial diagnosis, the patient is currently stable and receiving SSA at standard dose.