Successful laparoscopic investigation and resection of solitary colonic metastasis from breast cancer (with video)

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Nov 14:2012:bcr2012007187. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007187.

Abstract

Metastasis to gastrointestinal tract from breast cancer is an uncommon situation. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman who had a mastectomy for solid-tubular carcinoma of the breast 16 years ago and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for metastatic ovarian tumours 5 years ago, was incidentally found to have colonic metastatic tumour detected by positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) during follow-up. After identifying a definite location of the tumour in the ascending colon under laparoscopic investigation, laparoscopy-assisted partial colectomy was successfully performed. Histopathology of the resected specimen showed it to be metastasis from solid-tubular carcinoma of the breast. We should be aware that breast cancer can metastasise to the gastrointestinal tract even after the long interval from initial therapy. An index of high suspicion and detailed assessment is mandatory to make a correct diagnosis and following less invasive surgical treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / surgery*
  • Colon / pathology
  • Colon / surgery
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Mastectomy, Modified Radical
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed