Metastasis of primary colon cancer to the breast - Leave well alone

Abstract

Background: Metastasis to the breast is rare. Its management differs from that of primary breast cancer, as illustrated by this case of a colonic metastasis to the breast. Case Report: A 78-year-old woman presented with a breast lump 16 months after a palliative colonic resection for an obstructing colon cancer (T4 N0 M1). Core biopsy of the breast lump revealed morphological features identical to the original bowel cancer. In view of her progressive metastatic disease, the breast lump was simply observed. She passed away 4 months later from advanced intra-abdominal carcinomatosis. Discussion: There are 19 cases of colonic metastasis to the breast in the literature. In the literature, colonic metastases to the breast are usually excised. Conclusion: Excision of a colonic metastasis to the breast can be avoided if the patient's life expectancy is short. © 2010 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.