Yonsei Med J.  2006 Aug;47(4):578-582. 10.3349/ymj.2006.47.4.578.

Colonic Metastasis from Carcinoma of the Breast that Mimicks a Primary Intestinal Cancer

• Uygun K
• Kocak Z
• Altaner S
• Cicin I
• Tokatli F
• Uzal C

• KMID: 1779511
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2006.47.4.578

Abstract

Although the lung, liver, or bones are the most common location for distant metastases in breast cancer patients, metastases to the intestinal tract are very rarely recognized in the clinic. We will present an unusual case of colonic metastasis from a carcinoma of the breast that mimics a primary intestinal cancer, along with a through review of English language medical literature. Despite the fact that isolated gastrointestinal (GI) metastases are very rare and much less common than benign disease processes or second primaries of the intestinal tract in patients with a history of breast cancer, metastatic disease should be given consideration whenever a patient experiences GI symptoms.

Keyword

Breast cancer; metastasis; colon

MeSH Terms

Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
Neoplasms, Second Primary/diagnosis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Intestinal Neoplasms/*diagnosis
Humans
Female
Diagnosis, Differential
Colonic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*secondary
Carcinoma/diagnosis/*pathology
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology
Breast/pathology
Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 CT scan demonstrates a heterogeneous soft-tissue mass that appeared to fill the cecum and the proximal portion of the ascending colon and dilated distended loops of gut with fluid levels.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Mastectomy specimen obtained in 1997, showing infiltrating ductal and lobular mixed type carcinoma (H&E, ×100). (B). Right-hemicolectomy specimen, showing an intact mucosal epithelium and muscular and serosal involvement with tumor cells. The cells presenting characteristic pattern of metastatic lobular carcinoma, (H&E, ×100).

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  Fig. 3 Positive staining with anti-GCDFP-15 (×100).

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