GASTRIC METASTASIS FROM BREAST CANCER: CASE REPORT
Dott. Francesco Pontieri (*) UO di Anatomia Patologica
P.O. di Rossano (CS)
Dott. Gianluca DimaUO di Oncologia Medica
P.O. di Paola (CS)
(*) Relatore
Gastrointestinal metastases arising from breast cancer are rarely found, with an estimated incidence rate of
approximately 0.5%; in 60% of cases, they occur in stomach.
They mainly originate from lobular rather than ductal breast carcinoma.
The reason is unknown, but some authors think that it could be related to a particular tropism of lobular cells.
These metastases are mostly detected within a linitis plastica image (diffuse intramural infiltration by the tumor),
during endoscopic evaluations, while are extremely rare in the early gastric cancer
(EGC) setting.
This case report deals with a gastric metastasis from ductal breast cancer
in a 62 year-old woman, who had previously undergone a left radical
mastectomy for a moderately differentiated grade breast carcinoma
and adjuvant chemotherapy.
An endoscopic biopsy of gastric neoplasm was
performed 14 years later, as she reported
epigastralgia associated with nausea.
A histologic evaluation highlighted glandular elements
with a predominant tubular growth pattern infiltrating the
lamina propria stroma.
The immunohistochemical evaluation of which was ER-CK7
positive, and PR-CK20-CDX2 negative, confirming the gastric
metastasis from breast carcinoma.
Negative for neuroendocrine tumor: S-100, Chromogranin A, and
Synaptophisin.
Therapeutic Decision
The patients was undergone six courses of docetaxel-based
chemotherapy, reporting a radiologic complete response.
Actually, she is taking hormonal therapy with an aromatase inhibitor.
Conclusion:gastrointestinal metastases from breast carcinoma are rare; in the presence of a
carcinomatous gastric neoplasm in a patient with a clinical history of invasive breast
cancer, we should suppose the probability of a secondary gastric localization. the
histomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluations are essential to make a correct
diagnosis and a consequent adequate therapeutic protocol.
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