Two cases of cancer-associated retinopathy combined with small-cell lung cancer.

Cancer-associated retinopathy is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that is often associated with small-cell lung cancer. It is caused by an autoantibody to the 23 kDa photoreceptor protein, recoverin. A small number of reports have described effective treatment for the disease. We report two cases of cancer-associated retinopathy with small-cell lung cancer whose visual symptom preceded the diagnosis of cancer. Their visual acuity and visual field were slightly improved after steroid and anticancer therapy. Steroid therapy was effective, although the period from visual symptom onset to therapy was comparative longer. When cancer-associated retinopathy is suspected, a comparatively large quantity of steroids and anticancer treatment should be combined immediately.