Published in:
01-10-2011
Breast cancer metastatic to the rectum: a case report
Published in: Techniques in Coloproctology | Special Issue 1/2011
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Introduction
Patients with breast cancer may present with systemic recurrence in any organ, primarily the bones, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, pleura, and adrenal glands. We report a case of rectal tumor, metastatic from breast cancer, which represents an unusual location of metastasis.
Case presentation
A 74-year-old woman, operated for lobular breast cancer 5 years ago, but not compliant with the annual follow-up, presented with severe constipation and pseudodiarrhea. Digital examination and anoscopy revealed a mass at the lower rectum, 2 cm distant from the anal verge. CT and MRI scan of the abdomen confirmed this finding and did not reveal metastatic lesions elsewhere. The patient underwent abdominoperineal resection.
Results
The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day. The histopathological findings revealed rectal cancer, metastatic from the known invasive lobular breast cancer.
Conclusions
Rectal metastasis from breast cancer is very rare. The presented case emphasizes the need to keep in mind this possibility and at all times associate the emergency condition with the related history of breast cancer.