Cancers metastatic to the breast

Abstract

During a period of 10 years, 51 patients were found to have metastatic cancer in the breast. There were 44 women and seven men. Eighteen patients had carcinoma, 16 had malignant lymphoma, 14 had malignant melanoma, and three had myosarcomas. It is interesting that 16 of the 51 patients had no prior history of malignant disease—the mammary lesion presenting as the first manifestation of an occult extramammary primary. Metastatic cancer should be suspected when a multinodular neoplasm is found in the superficial tissues of the breast. Forty‐one patients had a rapidly fulminating course and died of disease. Ten patients are alive, seven with and three without apparent evidence of disease. It is concluded that earlier recognition of these tumors may lead to more rational therapy and avoidance of unnecessary radical surgery. Copyright © 1972 American Cancer Society