Metastasis to the Pancreas from Breast Cancer: Difficulties in Diagnosis and Controversies in Treatment

Abstract

Background: Metastasis to the pancreas originating from malignant tumours is a rare event and, in the literature, we have found only 11 reported cases of solitary pancreatic metastases originating from breast cancer. Case Report: We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with primary breast cancer who developed obstructive jaundice and epigastric pain after 2 years without any symptoms. The pancreatic mass revealed by computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not recognised as a metastasis from breast cancer and the patient underwent cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Conclusions: We discuss all aspects of the case management, stressing the importance of a careful evaluation of the clinical history and the primary cancer features and the usefulness of a multi-disciplinary approach. These aspects are of main importance for a correct diagnostic process and an appropriate therapeutic choice when a pancreatic lesion develops in a patient with prior neoplasm.

Solitary pancreatic metastasis from breast cancer: case report and review of literature

“…The average interval between the diagnoses of primary breast neoplasm and pancreatic metastasis was 43.3 months. 2 In our…”

Solitary pancreatic metastasis from breast cancer

“…Описано всего 26 случаев в период с 1980 по 2017 г. [5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Чаще всего солитарные метастазы были выявлены в головке ПЖ.…”

Metastasis to the pancreas and stomach from a breast cancer primary: a case report

“…Breast cancer accounts for less than 5% of metastatic pancreatic masses [3,4]. Metastasis to the stomach originating from a breast cancer primary is another rare event, but this type of metastatic spread has been observed in 0.3–18% of cases [5].…”

“…However, there is some controversy regarding surgical resection of pancreatic metastasis. There are reports that surgical resection of an isolated metastatic tumour of the pancreas can improve survivability and should be first-choice treatment, whereas other authors favor initial systemic therapy due to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy [4,13]. In both cases, surgical resection of the metastasis can be a useful means to palliate symptoms and improve quality of life [17].…”