Duodenal metastasis from male breast cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most frequent type of tumor and the second leading cause of death in women. Metastases are present in nearly 60% of cases at the time of diagnosis with the lymph nodes, skeleton, lungs, brain and liver as the most frequent sites of metastases. Gastrointestinal involvement is rare, present in only 10% of all the cases. There is a very low risk of developing breast cancer in men.Case presentationA 68-year-old man, with a past history of ductal breast cancer, presented with duodenal obstruction. Medical treatment was attempted without success, so he underwent surgery with subtotal gastrectomy and resection of the first portion of the duodenum. Histological examination showed a duodenal metastasis originating from the previous carcinoma of the breast. Five months after surgery, the patient is alive and well.ConclusionGastrointestinal metastases should be considered in patients with a past history of breast cancer. Surgical treatment should be performed in patients who are symptomatic and in good general condition. To our knowledge this is the only case of a gastrointestinal metastasis from breast carcinoma in a man.

Ampullary Metastasis From Breast Cancer: A Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice

“…This timing can make it hard to suspect a relationship between the breast cancer and the biliary disease. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 In our case this was the first evidence of metastatic breast cancer. Patients with a history of malignancy found to have obstructive jaundice from an ampullary mass should undergo further investigation to determine primary biliary cancer versus metastatic disease in order to provide appropriate surgical and medical management.…”

“…By reviewing the literature there were only a few cases of extrahepatic biliary tract metastasis from breast cancer involving the periampullary area. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 A permanent feature of all the reports available in the literature is that the diagnosis was not achieved nor suspected before endoscopy biopsy and/or surgery. Similarly, in the majority of the cases there was a long interval between the diagnosis of the primary tumor and the development of metastases affecting the biliary tract.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge and review of the literature there have been only few similar reports. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10…”

Intestinal metastasis from breast invasive ductal carcinoma after a long latency: case report and literature review

“…Intestinal metastasis can originate from male BC. Ferrari et al described an extremely rare case of duodenal metastasis from IDC of breast in an elderly male 40 months after breast surgery 17. Koleilat et al documented a male ductal BC developed colon metastasis causing mechanical bowel obstruction after a duration of more than 10 years 18.…”

Obstructive Jaundice as an Uncommon Manifestation of Metastatic Breast Cancer

“…Factors which affect prognosis of the disease include the size and grade of primary lesion, the presence of hormonal receptors, regional lymphadenopathy and distant metastatic disease [ 8 ]. Hematogenous metastases to lung, bone, liver and brain represent the most frequent sites of disease recurrence, while the involvement of gastrointestinal tract is rare and can pose a diagnostic challenge [ 9 , 10 ].…”