Eyelid-sparing adjuvant radiation therapy for renal cell carcinoma

Purpose: To describe the use of debulking surgery with adjuvant external beam irradiation as an eyelid-sparing treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Design: Interventional case report. Methods: A 63-year-old male presented with a right upper lid tumor. He had a history of renal cell carcinoma and pulmonary metastasis treated with surgery and systemic chemotherapy. The eyelid tumor was biopsied, followed by debulking surgery and external beam radiation therapy to treat this metastatic tumor. Results: Histopathological evaluation of the excised tumor revealed a metastatic renal cell carcinoma, clear cell type. At 4 months' follow-up, he had no evidence of recurrence or radiation oculopathy. He was pleased with his cosmetic result. Conclusions: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting in the eye and orbit can be the initial manifestation of the primary tumor. It is important to include this tumor in the differential diagnosis of recurrent eyelid lesions. Debulking surgery followed by external beam radiation therapy can be used to control the tumor with an eyelid-sparing cosmetic result. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.