Gastric metastases originating from occult breast lobular carcinoma: diagnostic and therapeutic problems
2008

Gastric Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Ciulla Antonio, Castronovo Gioacchino, Tomasello Giovanni, Maiorana Alfonso Maurizio, Russo Leila, Daniele Elio, Genova Gaspare

Primary Institution: University of Palermo, Italy

Hypothesis

Can gastric cancer in women be a manifestation of undiagnosed breast cancer?

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of considering breast cancer as a potential source of gastric metastases, even in patients without a known history of breast cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a preoperative diagnosis of gastric undifferentiated medullary-type carcinoma.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the gastric carcinoma was a metastasis from lobular breast carcinoma.
  • The patient underwent total gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy.
  • Histological examination showed atypical epithelial elements consistent with lobular carcinoma.

Takeaway

Sometimes, stomach cancer can actually come from breast cancer that wasn't found yet. This case shows how important it is for doctors to check for breast cancer when they see stomach cancer in women.

Methodology

The case involved a 70-year-old woman diagnosed with gastric undifferentiated medullary-type carcinoma, which was later identified as a metastasis from lobular breast carcinoma through immunohistochemical analysis.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

One 70-year-old female patient.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7819-6-78

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