Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasis to the Breast and Axillary Lymph Nodes

Breast metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature so far. Here, we report a case of metastatic MTC to the breast and axillary lymph nodes (LN). The case illustrates that (1) metastatic MTC of the breast could be clinically and pathologically misdiagnosed as primary breast cancer, such as invasive lobular carcinoma with axillary LN involvement; (2) unlike other metastatic breast cancer patients, who have very poor prognoses, our patient survived for more than 5 years after the breast and axillary surgery; and (3) metastasis of MTC to the breast is accompanied by axillary LN metastasis, which requires thorough axillary LN dissection, as in most primary breast cancers.     

Lymph node metastasis within the pectoralis major muscle in breast cancer--a case report

We report herein, a case of a 75 year old woman with breast cancer in whom lymph node metastasis within the pectoralis major muscle was found. The breast mass measured 10 X 6 cm, and its overlying skin was red and edematous, suggesting inflammatory carcinoma. An extended radical mastectomy was performed and the lesion was histologically confirmed to be solid-tubular carcinoma with regional lymph node involvement. In the pectoralis major muscle, where lymph nodes do not usually exist, one positive metastatic lymph node and another metastatic lymph node-like nodule were histopathologically confirmed. To our knowledge, no other such case has ever been reported, yet the possibility of lymph nodes existing in the pectoralis major muscle, albeit rare, should nevertheless be considered in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Lymph node metastasis within the pectoralis major muscle in breast cancer—A case report—

We report herein, a case of a 75 year old woman with breast cancer in whom lymph node metastasis within the pectoralis major muscle was found. The breast mass measured 10×6 cm, and its overlying skin was red and edematous, suggesting inflammatory carcinoma. An extended radical mastectomy was performed and the lesion was histologically confirmed to be solid-tubular carcinoma with regional lymph node involvement. In the pectoralis major muscle, where lymph nodes do not usually exist, one positive metastatic lymph node and another metastatic lymph node-like nodule were histopathologically confirmed. To our knowledge, no other such case has ever been reported, yet the possibility of lymph nodes existing in the pectoralis major muscle, albeit rare, should nevertheless be considered in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Metastatic bladder tumor disseminated lymphogenously from gastric cancer: a case report

A 59-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a complaint of frequent urination, voiding pain, and macroscopic hematuria. He had undergone total gastrectomy for mucinous adenocarcinoma, 21 months earlier. Pelvic computed tomography revealed a thick bladder wall all around. There were no other metastatic sites except for paraaortic lymph nodes. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor was performed. The specimen showed signet ring cell carcinoma and revealed the same pathological findings as the primary gastric cancer. We diagnosed him with metastastic bladder tumor lymphogenously disseminated from gastric cancer. Such lymphogenous metastases from gastric cancer at the entire bladder wall without other apparent lesions have rarely been reported in the Japanese literature.     

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Two cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with cutaneous metastases are reported. In one patient, multiple nodular metastatic lesions appeared simultaneously with urethral recurrence after total cystectomy. In another patient, diffuse inflammatory metastatic lesion was generated after radiotherapy for pelvic lymph nodes. The pathways of metastatic dissemination from the transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are discussed.     

新辅助化疗对乳腺癌腋淋巴结及结外侵犯的影响

目的 旨在观察局部进展期乳腺癌新辅助化疗时腋淋巴结及结外侵犯的临床病理学改变.方法 2002年6月-2009年8月南京大学附属第二医院收治的肿块大于5 cm伴同侧腋淋巴结肿大但不融合的86例患者,以患者是否愿意行新辅助化疗分组,A组患者46例,不愿行新辅助化疗,穿刺确诊后行手术治疗,术后病理证实,腋淋巴结转移40例,转移腋淋巴结结外侵犯17例.B组患者40例,自愿行新辅助化疗,穿刺确诊后平均行3个周期新辅助化疗,再行手术治疗,术后病理证实,腋淋巴结转移26例,转移腋淋巴结结外侵犯6例.结果 A组患者淋巴结转移率为86.9%,转移淋巴结并结外侵犯率为36.9%;B组患者淋巴结转移率为65%,转移淋巴结结外侵犯率为15%,两组病例在淋巴结转移率及转移淋巴结结外侵犯率之间存在显著差异,P<0.05.结论 新辅助化疗对于患者的腋淋巴结转移灶有明显作用,减少了淋巴结转移率及转移淋巴结结外侵犯率.     

Metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast found incidentally on pathology following cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis: A case report

BackgroundTraditional oncologic pattern of spread of breast cancer is metastasis to axillary lymph nodes, lung, liver and bone (Doval et al., 2006 [1]). Here we present a case of unknown synchronous breast cancer in a patient that was revealed on histopathologic assessment following elective cholecystectomy.Case summaryA 57 year old female presented for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy secondary to biliary colic. Histopathologic assessment of the gallbladder revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma with signet ring features, consistent with metastatic lobular carcinoma. The patient went on to have a complete oncologic workup that revealed invasive ductal carcinoma with components of high grade ductal carcinoma in situ in the left breast, lobular carcinoma in the right breast, and metastatic lobular carcinoma to left and right axillary lymph nodes as well as diffuse osseous metastatic disease.ConclusionsMetastatic disease to the gallbladder found incidentally on elective cholecystectomy is a rare presentation of synchronous breast cancer.     

Identification and importance of lymphocyte subpopulations in the regional lymph nodes of breast cancer patients

To determine whether the presence of metastatic cancer cells in lymph nodes is accompanied by changes in lymphocyte subpopulations identified in tissue sections, the authors studied metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes from eight patients with breast cancer and lymph nodes of three control patients. In all metastatic lymph nodes, T cells were seen in close contact with infiltrating cancer cells; B cells tended to accumulate focally, apart from cancer cell nests. In both metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes from breast cancer patients, the fractional areas occupied by the T4 (helper) and T8 (suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytes were comparable. The B-cell fractional area was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater in nonmetastatic than in metastatic nodes. The fractional area occupied by the T8 lymphocytes in the breast cancer patients was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater than in the normal lymph nodes, but no difference was noted in the fractional area occupied by the T4 cells. These findings indicate that all lymph nodes in breast cancer patients are characteristically increased in suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes, and the presence of metastatic cancer cells in the nodes is manifested by a depletion of B lymphocytes.     

Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosed During a Work-up for Urinary Incontinence: A Case Report

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the USA and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer metastases to the bladder are unusual but have been reported occasionally in the literature. The majority of the reports describe bladder metastases presenting with symptomatology or occurring in the context of disseminated disease. We present the case of an 87-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer and negative routine work-up for metastatic disease. She was referred to the urogynecology division in our institution because of complaints of urinary incontinence and urinary urgency. A urethrocystoscopy revealed suspicious bladder mucosal lesions that were biopsied. The pathology findings, when compared to the original cancer specimens, were consistent with metastatic disease. This case suggests that in patients with a history of breast cancer, even subtle urinary symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated.     

膀胱非尿路上皮性肿瘤的诊治(附46例报告)

目的:探讨膀胱非尿路上皮性肿瘤的诊断、治疗方法和预后。方法:回顾性分析2002年1月～2010年12月收治的46例膀胱非尿路上皮性肿瘤患者的临床资料:男34例,女12例。年龄30～82岁,平均61.3岁。术前辅助检查主要包括B超、盆腔CT、膀胱镜加病理活检以及131I-MIBG。42例行手术治疗,4例放弃手术。结果:46例术前或术后病理检查诊断为膀胱鳞状细胞癌19例,膀胱腺癌18例(单纯性非脐尿管腺癌8例,脐尿管腺癌5例,转移性腺癌5例),膀胱小细胞癌4例,膀胱嗜铬细胞瘤5例。术后40例随访12～72个月,膀胱嗜铬细胞瘤5例均健在,膀胱鳞癌及腺癌各2例随访至14～26个月仍存活,其余患者平均存活时间13.2个月。结论:膀胱非尿路上皮恶性肿瘤恶性程度高,确诊时大多已是晚期,预后差。膀胱根治性切除术是除转移性癌和小细胞癌外的膀胱非尿路上皮性恶性肿瘤的推荐手术方案,小细胞癌以化疗为主,转移性癌以改善尿路症状为主,良性嗜铬细胞瘤以膀胱部分切除为主。     

Incidental malignancy in internal thoracic artery lymph nodes

The incidental finding of malignant internal thoracic lymph nodes while mobilizing the internal thoracic artery (ITA) for coronary bypass grafting has not to our knowledge been previously reported. The cases of 3 male patients who underwent surgery between January 1990 and January 1993 and in whom malignant lymph nodes were found in the ITA pedicle are reviewed. One individual was found to have metastatic carcinoma of the breast, whereas the other 2 were discovered to have previously undiagnosed lymphomas. After undergoing further relevant investigation and treatment, all 3 patients remain free of recurrent disease 6.8 to 9.8 years after their original cardiac surgery. Primary or metastatic malignancy may be encountered in the course of ITA mobilization for grafting. Abnormally enlarged internal thoracic lymph nodes should be sent for pathologic examination.     

Genetic heterogeneity during breast cancer progression in young patients

BackgroundBecause a number of years may be required for normal cells to develop into carcinoma, genes involved in tumorigenesis and progression might differ among breast cancers in young women and those in older women. The present study sought to analyze subclonality during breast cancer evolution as well as diversity within each individual in our young patients’ cohort.MethodsA total of 13 women aged <35 years at diagnosis with early breast cancer were recruited. Serial sections of breast samples consisting of synchronous invasive carcinoma, adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), normal breast tissue, and metastatic lymph nodes were collected and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2, and Ki67, and for extraction of genomic DNA. Germline and somatic gene alterations of genomic DNA were examined by targeted sequencing.ResultsGenomic DNA from 13 blood samples and 36 breast tissues consisting of 14 invasive carcinomas, nine adjacent DCIS, 11 normal breast tissues, and two metastatic lymph nodes were successfully sequenced. Germline gene alterations including pathogenic variants and gene alterations that were not yet evaluated for their clinical significance were detected in all patients but one. Somatic gene alterations were identified in eight invasive carcinomas, five DCIS, and one metastatic lymph node. Different somatic gene alterations between invasive carcinoma and DCIS were detected in two patients. Somatic gene mutations were present in non-neoplastic tissues in three patients. No two patients had the same gene alterations.ConclusionOur results reveal diversity within each individual during breast cancer progression.     

Serum Antibody in Patients with Breast Disease: Correlation with Histopathology

Antibody to a breast cancer antigen was detected by immunodiffusion or complement fixation in at least one serum sample in 46% of 84 patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma, 34% of 96 patients with fibrocystic disease and 25% of 44 patients with fibroadenoma. A single serum sample obtained from screenees of the Detection Center for Breast Diseases was tested by immunodiffusion only and antibody was found in 3 of 206 screenees (1.5%). Eleven of 13 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and no detectable serum antibody either had recurrence or were dead within 12 months of mastectomy. Fifteen of 18 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and with detectable serum antibody were alive and free of disease for up to 24 months. Histologic slides from patients with a diagnosis of fibrocystic disease or fibroadenoma were reviewed for the presence of ductal epithelial hyperplasia. Ductal epithelial hyperplasia was present in a similar per cent of patients with no detectable serum antibody as those with antibody detected in the serum. Severe sinus histiocytosis of the axillary lymph nodes was present in 45% of those cancer patients with serum antibody and only 11% of those cancer patients with no detectable serum antibody.     

Bladder involvement in metastatic breast carcinoma.

The literature concerning the uncommon findings of bladder involvement of breast carcinoma is suggestive of a recent increase in reported cases. We report on 3 additional women with vesical deposits of metastatic breast carcinoma. The clinical presentation and dire significance of such cases, and their relationship to progesterone and estrogen receptor expression are discussed. We also postulate on the possible increase in the numbers of reported cases.     

Lymphatic mapping and detection of sentinel nodes in patients with bladder cancer

PURPOSE: We examined the possibility for detecting sentinel nodes in patients with bladder cancer and whether the histopathological status of identified sentinel nodes reflected that of the lymphatic field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 patients with bladder cancer who met the criteria qualifying them for radical cystectomy had intravesical injections of radioactive tracer and blue dye marker around the tumor followed by lymphoscintigraphy to visualize lymphatic drainage and detect sentinel nodes. Sentinel nodes were identified preoperatively by the blue color and increased radioactivity and were compared histopathologically with other routinely excised lymph nodes. RESULTS: Sentinel nodes were detected in 85% (11 of 13) of patients. There were 4 patients who had sentinel nodes containing tumor cells, and each metastasis was only seen in the detected sentinel node. There were no false-negative sentinel nodes. Of the metastatic sentinel nodes 3 were located outside the normally excised lymph nodes of the obturator fossa. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel nodes can be detected in patients with bladder cancer. The histopathological status of the identified sentinel nodes was diagnostic for all other excised lymph nodes. Sentinel nodes often seem to be located outside the obturator lymphatic field, which is normally examined during preoperative staging of bladder cancer.     

Manifestations of metastatic breast carcinoma to the head and neck

Although metastatic neoplasms in the head and neck are rare compared to primary head and neck neoplasms, metastatic breast carcinoma has been described at numerous sites in the head and neck region. Two cases of breast carcinoma metastatic to sites in the head and neck are reported. In one case a laryngeal metastasis represented the first manifestation of recurrent breast cancer. The second case, a nasal metastasis, was unsuspected and was treated as cellulitis. The presentation of metastatic breast carcinoma to the head and neck may in fact be atypical, posing a diagnostic dilemma. These cases illustrate the importance of past medical history and the high index of suspicion in patients with a history of prior malignancy.     

Is there a therapeutic role for post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder?

PURPOSE: We identified a subset of patients with bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) and regional nodal metastasis to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes without detectable systemic dissemination. While the majority of these patients respond initially to chemotherapy, most have disease relapse at the same site within a year. We report the results of a phase II study exploring the potential benefit of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in whom disease has shown a significant response to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 11 patients with biopsy proven metastatic transitional cell carcinoma in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and no evidence of visceral metastatic disease in whom disease showed a significant response to chemotherapy underwent complete bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. The end point of study was disease specific survival, calculated from the time of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection to death from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. RESULTS: Four patients underwent delayed retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Seven patients underwent concurrent cystectomy, and pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. There was no perioperative mortality. Nine patients had evidence of residual disease in the retroperitoneal nodes. Seven patients have recurrence outside of the original surgical field with a median time to recurrence of 7 months and 6 died at a median time to death of 8 months (range 5 to 14). One patient with retrocrural recurrence attained a complete response to salvage chemotherapy and remained disease-free 57 months after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. For all 11 patients median disease specific and recurrence-free survival rates were 14 and 7 months, respectively. Four-year disease specific and recurrence-free survival rates were 36% and 27%, respectively. We stratified the patients based on the number of involved lymph nodes at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and noted that viable tumor in no more than 2 lymph nodes correlated with greater disease specific and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.006 and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection can be safely performed for metastatic transitional cell carcinoma. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has curative potential, particularly in patients with viable tumor in no more than 2 lymph nodes after chemotherapy.     

Prostate carcinoma metastatic to ureter

Since carcinoma of the prostate usually metastasizes to pelvic lymph nodes or to bone or by direct extension, a discrete metastatic papillary lesion involving the ureter is unusual. We report such a case in a fifty-three-year-old man. Review of the literature has identified 11 other cases of carcinoma of the prostate metastatic to the ureter. None of the previously reported cases, however, described a discrete papillary intraluminal tumor in which there was no direct extension outside the ureteral wall. In addition, small foci of tumor were within intraluminal lymphatics as well as within the ureterovesical resection margin. These findings together with immunoperoxidase results confirm the unusual behavior and presentation of metastatic prostate carcinoma involving the ureter. Later a bladder tumor developed and histology again revealed metastatic prostate carcinoma.     

Primary Peritoneal Serous Carcinoma Presenting as Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Abstract:  Metastasis to the breast from extramammary malignancies is rare. Nevertheless, its recognition is important because the prognosis and treatment differ from that of primary breast cancer. We report a unique case of primary peritoneal serous carcinoma that initially presented as inflammatory breast cancer. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and subsequently underwent bilateral total mastectomy and bilateral sentinel lymph node biopsy. She was found to have extensive intralymphatic carcinoma in both breasts, with only focal minimal breast parenchymal involvement, and residual metastatic carcinoma in bilateral sentinel lymph nodes. Further work-up revealed pelvic ascites and omental nodularities. The patient underwent laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which revealed high-grade serous carcinoma involving both ovaries and fallopian tubes. Molecular testing of tumor from the ovary and axillary lymph node showed an identical pattern of allelic loss, confirming a common origin for both tumors. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an extramammary primary malignancy that not only presented as inflammatory breast cancer but also was diagnosed and initially treated as such.     

乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌与浸润性导管癌的临床病理对照研究

目的 探讨浸润性微乳头状癌(invasive micropapillary carcinoma,IMPC)和浸润性导管癌(invasive ductal carcinoma,IDC)的差异,分析乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌的临床病理及免疫组化特点.方法 回顾性分析2004年10月至2007年11月51例浸润性微乳头状癌患者临床病理资料.选取同期临床病理资料完整的102例浸润性导管癌患者做对照.结果 浸润性微乳头状癌和浸润性导管癌的乳头侵犯、淋巴管侵犯、淋巴结转移率、淋巴结转移水平、软组织侵犯、雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ER)、孕激素受体(progestin receptor,PR)、三阴(ER,PR,HER2均为阴性)表达差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).而闭经状态、发病侧别、淋巴结转移个数、人类表皮生长因子受体2(human epidermal growth factor receptor-2,HER2)表达及局部复发和远处器官转移差异无统计学意义.浸润性微乳头状癌组中位随访时间46个月(16～ 75个月),3年生存率和无病生存率分别为90.2％和84.3％.结论 浸润性微乳头状癌是一种呈现侵袭性生长方式的少见乳腺癌类型,具有嗜淋巴特性和易发结外软组织侵犯的特点.乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌高表达激素受体,三阴乳腺癌比例较少.