We seldom encounter metastatic breast cancer from other internal organs. All patients were females, with a range of the age from 49 to 63.
Case 1: A 49-year-old woman had a left breast tumor. There was a previous history of undergoing operation for atypical carcinoid of the left lung. She was diagnosed as having metastatic breast cancer by aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC). Lumpectomy was performed 3 times, however, she died of dyspnea 4 years and 2 months after the metastasis. Case 2: A 54-year-old woman had a left breast tumor. There was a history of undergoing left nephrectomy for leiomyosarcoma of the left kidney. ABC indicated metastatic breast cancer. Operation was carried out, but she died of lung metastasis about 6 months later. Case 3: A 63-year-old woman had a left breast tumor and lung tumor. The tumors were excised on an one-step approach. A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer from adenocarcinoma of the left lung was made. The patient received multi-agent chemotherapy, however, died of brain metastasis one year later.
It is difficult to discriminate on the basis of local and radiological findings whether a breast tumor is primary malignant or metastatic tumor. Careful evaluation of previous history as well as cytological and pathological findings of the tumor would greatly contribute to making diagnosis.