Gastric Metastasis as the First Presentation One Year Before Diagnosis of Primary Breast Cancer
Unusual clinical course, Challenging differential diagnosis, Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Diagnostic / therapeutic accidents
Joohyun Woo, Joo-Ho Lee, Kyoung Eun Lee, Sun Hee Sung, Woosung Lim
Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:354-359
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.908039
Available online:
Published: 2018-03-26
BACKGROUND:
Metastasis to the stomach can be found as the first presentation of breast cancer, although it is very rare. The authors report an unusual case of metastasis to the stomach as the first presentation of breast cancer, which had a good prognosis.
CASE REPORT:
A 51-year-old female underwent radical subtotal gastrectomy and chemotherapy because of gastric cancer with distant metastasis. At the time of diagnosis of gastric cancer, she had a negative result from routine mammography. One year later, a newly detected lesion on routine mammography was confirmed as breast cancer. Initial diagnosis of gastric cancer was changed to metastatic carcinoma from breast cancer through immunohistochemistry after bilateral mastectomy. After the completion of chemotherapy, she is currently receiving treatment with letrozole, without recurrence for 66 months.
CONCLUSIONS:
Considering metastasis from breast cancer might be needed when unusual presentation of gastric cancer is observed even though gastric cancer is still one of the most common malignancies in Korea. Immunohistochemical analysis is helpful for diagnosis. Surgery for metastatic carcinoma of the stomach could be another option for treatment.
Keywords: Breast Neoplasms, Gastrectomy, Neoplasm Metastasis, Prognosis
