Alberto Bellone: Neurosensory Retinal Detachment Due to Treatment with Sunitinib

A 70-year-old patient who was accidentally diagnosed with a malignant kidney tumor. Removed the tumor, after 1 year at the follow-up CT scan, secondary lesions in the lung and brain were diagnosed.

The patient underwent drug treatment with sunitinib. (Sunitinib is an anticancer drug that can inhibit the growth of malignant cells. To be administered orally, Sunitinib is available in several drugs that are reimbursable only in hospital settings and dispensed only upon presentation of a non-repeatable restrictive type prescription (RNRL), on prescription from hospital centers or specialists).

After months of drug administration, the patient complained of visual decline in both eyes: neurosensory retinal detachment was diagnosed at the macular site in both eyes. Suspended Sunitinib therapy, he underwent general, local and intravitreal steroid therapy with Ozurdex.

He came to our observation with the following clinical picture:

• OD retinal detachment in the lower sectors without obvious retinal breaks.
• Neurosensory retinal detachment at macular site with large hard exudate.
• Superior to papilla presence of solid mass likely secondary metastatic lesion.
• OS sensorineural retinal detachment at macular site likely secondary to sunitinib intake.

The patient was referred to the oncologist for chemotherapy update and to a referral center for treatment of ocular malignancies.

Source: https://albertobellone.it/distacco-retinico-neurosensoriale-causato-da-sunitinib/

Thanks to Dr. Alberto Bellone