Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is rare. Approximately 250 cases have been reported in the foreign literature, and 80 in Japan. Ovarian cancer metastasized to the breast is extremely rare to account for 7.0% (15) of 213 metastatic breast cancers originating from the ovaries according to Nielsen. In Japan, only one such case has been reported.
A 64-year-old woman underwent subtotal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for ovarian cancer in 1986. Sixteen months later she noticed a right breast lump. It was a 10 mm tumor in upper-outer quadrant (C region), and a tumor was also palpable in the right axilla. Ultrasonography and needle biopsy cytology indicated a primary breast cancer with right axillary lymphnode metastasis. Standard radical mastectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed metastatic breast cancer, not primary. We are certain this was metastasized from ovarian cancer based on her past history and histologic similarities. She died of metastases to the coliac and Virchow lymph nodes and peritonitis carcinomatosa in 1989.
