Dysphagia as the presenting symptom of recurrent breast carcinoma

Abstract

Esophageal obstruction secondary to recurrent breast carcinoma is not widely recognized. Frequently, the esophageal narrowing is attributed to a benign process, resulting in delays of diagnosis and treatment. Such a case prompted this report and review of the literature.

Squamous Cell Esophageal Carcinoma as a Second Primary Malignancy in a Woman with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

“…On the other hand, metastatic carcinomas to the esophagus are unusual and they are better related to melanoma and breast cancer [13]. Moreover, there was no evidence of relapse, as there were no abdominal symptoms, no abnormalities on recent abdominal CT, and no rise in the serum CA-125 level.…”

Breast cancer recurrence in esophagus, stomach, and liver, 15 years following primary surgery: report of a case

“…In this case, esophageal metastases were found 15 years after the primary surgery for breast cancer. Clinical symptoms caused by esophageal metastases include dysphagia, nausea, and weight loss; however, such symptoms are observed in only approximately 30 % of patients [14]. Thus, esophageal metastases must be considered in patients affected by breast cancer (particularly lobular carcinoma) who present with GI symptoms, even if treatment for the primary tumor was performed many years previously.…”

Pseudoachalasia Secondary to Metastatic Breast Carcinoma

“…Primary malignancy of the GEJ accounts for 54-70% of pseudoachalasia cases, with adenocarcinoma of the gastric fundus or distal esophagus the most commonly implicated tumors [3][4][5][6]. While many forms of malignancy can metastasize to the esophagus, only 6% of pseudoachalasia cases are secondary to metastatic versus primary disease [7][8][9][10][11]. While breast carcinoma is one of the most common primary tumors to metastasize to the esophagus, it rarely contributes to clinically significant esophageal dysfunction.…”

“…While breast carcinoma is one of the most common primary tumors to metastasize to the esophagus, it rarely contributes to clinically significant esophageal dysfunction. If present, metastatic breast cancer to the esophagus typically results in an esophageal stricture [7,11].…”

“…The most common etiology of pseudoachalasia is malignancy and the most common pathology is primary esophageal adenocarcinoma [3][4][5][6]. Metastatic disease rarely is implicated in cases of pseudoachalasia and few of these cases involve breast carcinoma [7][8][9][10][11]. This is only the third reported case of pseudoachalasia resulting from metastatic infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction.…”