Metastasis to the Breast-a Clinical Challenge in Outpatient

Abstract

Metastatic tumours of the breast are often misdiagnosed as a primary breast malignancy. This erroneous diagnosis can lead to unnecessary mutilating surgery and to delays in applying appropriate treatment. We have analyzed the clinical features of seven patients presenting initially with a breast mass which, after further investigation, proved to be metastasis from a non-breast primary tumour. The treatment of metastatic breast tumours depends on the nature of the primary tumour. Metastases of solid tumours are treated with local excision. Lymphomas are treated with appropriate systemic therapy. The prognosis for patients with metastatic tumours in the breast is poor.

Key Words:

• Metastasis
• breast
• occult primary tumour

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. L. Komorowski

A. L. Komorowski Department of Surgical Oncology Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Center of Oncology ul.Garncarska 11 31-115 Kraków, Poland Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]