Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Gastrointestinal Metastases From Breast Carcinoma: A Clinicopathological Study of 22 Patients

Abstract

Background. Breast carcinoma is the most common malignancy in women. Gastrointestinal metastasis is rarely found or diagnosed in patients with breast cancer. Methods. Clinicopathological features, treatment options, and prognosis were evaluated retrospectively for 22 patients with gastrointestinal metastases of breast carcinoma in Chinese women. Results. Presenting symptoms were non-specific: anorexia (21/22), epigastric pain (10/22), and vomiting (8/22), and 2 patients (2/22) presented with nonfatal hemorrhage. The first sites of metastases were skeleton (9/22), stomach (7/22), colorectal (7/22), lung (3/22), peritoneal (3/22), and liver (1/22). ER, PR, GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15), and keratin 7 can effectively confirm the diagnosis, especially in the case of keratin 20 negativity. Histology showed mainly ductal breast carcinoma (n = 11) was the predominant source of gastrointestinal metastases in this study, and lobular breast cancer (n = 9) accounted for a considerable proportion. The disease control rate to systemic therapy was 81% (17 of 21 treated patients), and the objective response rate was 10% (2 of 21 treated patients). Median overall survival was 71.5 months (range, 22-226 months), median survival for distant metastases was 23.5 months (range, 2-119 months) and the median survival for the time of gastrointestinal metastases diagnosis was 6 months (range, 2-73 months). Conclusions. Performing the endoscopy with biopsy was crucial for patients with any subtle gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of breast cancer. It is important to distinguish primary gastrointestinal carcinoma from breast metastatic carcinoma in order to select the optimal initial treatment and avoid unnecessary surgery.

Lymphocyte-Rich Spindle Cell Thymoma

“…It is possible that the immunosuppression due to the patient’s immunodeficient state as part of the Good syndrome may have contributed to this unusual clinical evolution. Aggressive behavior with distant metastases has previously been documented for type AB thymomas in the literature 26–31. Instances of progression and transformation to higher grade malignancy, such as thymic carcinoma, have also been documented in some studies 32,33.…”

“…Aggressive behavior with distant metastases has previously been documented for type AB thymomas in the literature. [26][27][28][29][30][31] Instances of progression and transformation to higher grade malignancy, such as thymic carcinoma, have also been documented in some studies. 32,33 From a clinical standpoint, complete surgical excision with thorough examination of the resected specimen to rule out infiltration of adjacent structures is the best management option for these patients.…”

Diffuse Gastrointestinal Metastasis From Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…The clinical manifestations of GI metastases from BC are diverse, encompassing a spectrum from asymptomatic lesions discovered incidentally to GI complaints that could be associated with numerous different conditions [ 7 ]. Given their rarity and often nonspecific symptoms, these metastases pose significant diagnostic challenges, sometimes mimicking primary GI disorders like Crohn's disease or primary gastric or colon cancers [ 8 ].…”

Unraveling the pathophysiologic role of galectin‐3 in chronically injured liver

“…Clinical immunohistochemical analysis revealed the increased expression of Gal‐3 in HCC cancer tissues, and it was reported to serve as an important prognostic factor for HCC (S. S. Jiang et al, 2014). Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that Gal‐3 overexpression occurs during the progression, development, and malignant transformation of type AB thymomas with liver metastases (Z. Wang et al, 2014). The molecular mechanisms of Gal‐3‐induced CLD are presented in Figure 3.…”

“…Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that Gal-3 overexpression occurs during the progression, development, and malignant transformation of type AB thymomas with liver metastases (Z. Wang et al, 2014). The molecular mechanisms of Gal-3-induced CLD are presented in Figure 3.…”