Lobular breast carcinoma with colonic metastases: A synchronous diagnosis in a 4-day period

Publication date: Available online 23 June 2016 Source:Human Pathology: Case Reports Author(s): Raquel Albero-González, Javier Gimeno-Beltrán, Ivonne Vázquez‐de las Heras, Joan Martínez-Orfila, Agustín Seoane-Urgorri, Dolores Naranjo‐Hans, Josep Maria Corominas, Mar Iglesias‐Coma, Francesc Alameda‐Quitllet Lobular breast carcinoma involving the colon is a rare condition. In most cases reported in the literature, metastases are detected after a 20-year latency period after the initial diagnosis. Here we describe a case in which metastatic lobular breast carcinoma and colonic metastasis were simultaneously diagnosed—with only 4 days between the two diagnoses. A 55-year-old woman underwent mammography and colonoscopy in the setting of the National Cancer Screening Program. A malignant nodule in the left breast was detected, and core-biopsy revealed an invasive lobular carcinoma. Simultaneously, numerous intestinal micropolyps were sampled. Histological examination of the latter showed tumor cells growing in cords and presenting signet-ring appearance, thereby confirming metastatic breast carcinoma. In cases such as the one described here, pathological diagnosis can be extremely difficult and deep biopsies are required. Metastatic breast cancer involving the colon can be considerably underestimated because of the unspecificity of the clinical manifestations, the long latency period, and diverse radiological findings that can lead to misdiagnos...
Source: Human Pathology: Case Reports - Category: Pathology Source Type: research