Non-Cancerous Ophthalmic Clues to Non-Ocular Cancer

Abstract 

This survey reviews selected medical disorders in which the ophthalmologist has a unique opportunity of anticipating the existence of asymptomatic, life-threatening disease simply by recognizing that certain benign conditions involving the eye or adnexa represent clues to occult non-ocular cancer and other neoplasias. Having knowledge that these clues are associated with specific types of neoplasia, the ophthalmologist can then initiate a goal-directed oncologic investigation designed to identify the underlying neoplasm with the hope of providing potentially life-saving therapy. The survey is organized to feature each clue separately. The clinical characteristics of the clue are described and illustrated with color photographs when possible. A discussion reviews associated malignancies and other important medical features. The survey begins with clues expressed anteriorly in the lids, progressively reviewing those clues located more posteriorly, concluding with clues involving the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid.

Keywords:  AIDS, amyloidosis, aniridia, cancer, cancer-associated retinopathy, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, corneal crystals, cotton-wool spot, familial adenomatous polyposis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, HIV retinopathy, Kaposi's sarcoma, lentigines, lymphoma, melanocytoma, melanoma-associated retinopathy, multiple myeloma, neoplasia, neurofibromatosis, opsoclonus, paraneoplastic syndrome, periorbital ecchymoses, retinal angioma, retinopathy, sebaceous adenoma, systemic disease, thickened corneal nerves, von Hippel Lindau, xanthogranuloma, xanthoma