Primary breast cancer relapse as metastasis to the cervix uteri: A case report

Abstract

Metastasis of non-gynaecological tumours to the cervix is a rare event, and metastasis from breast cancer is even rarer, with only a limited number of such cases reported in the literature to date. We herein report the case of an 86-year-old female patient who had undergone mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy for invasive ductal cell breast carcinoma 2 years prior, followed by adjuvant hormonal therapy with letrozole. During hospitalization for anemia associated with an inflammatory syndrome and abdominal pain with menorrhagia, an abdominal ultrasound examination revealed a suspicious uterine mass with irregular contours and abnormal vascularization with associated increase of the blood level of cancer antigen 15-3 to 34 kU/l. The histological and immunohistochemical analysis of a cervical biopsy sample discover a secondary lesion metastatic from the primary ductal cell breast carcinoma. The metastatic tissue was hormone-negative, which was compatible with disease progression during hormonal therapy. Considering the multiple metastasis, comorbidities, unfavourable performance status and the quick deterioration of the patient's clinical condition, only best supportive care was administered.