Renal cell carcinoma with involvement of iris and conjunctiva

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with involvement of the iris and bulbar conjunctiva. Methods: Case report. A 70-year-old man without known systemic disease developed an iris mass in his left eye. Iridocyclectomy was performed to remove the iris mass. Results: Histopathologically, the iris mass was consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Further evaluation disclosed a mass of the left kidney. The patient underwent a left nephrectomy and was found to have renal cell carcinoma, with focal penetration into the renal capsule. One month after the nephrectomy, he developed a highly vascular nodule of the left bulbar conjunctiva. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathology disclosed an additional focus of renal cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Iris and conjunctival involvement may be a clinical manifestation of renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fleshy, vascular iris and a conjunctival nodule.