Breast cancer metastasis to the bladder: a literature review

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jun 28:2018:bcr2017222031. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222031.

Abstract

Given the prevalence of breast cancer and the mortality associated with metastatic disease, it is imperative for physicians to not only be aware of common sites but also of rare metastatic destinations such as the bladder. A postmenopausal woman with a medical history of stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, oestrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, in remission for 9 years, presented to her primary care physician with concerns of increased urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence. The patient underwent cystoscopy with biopsy of an area of granulation tissue. Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma consistent with breast primary. The common sites of metastases from breast cancer are lung, bone and liver. This case is unique where breast cancer was found to metastasise to the bladder. It is important for physicians to consider further investigation when a breast cancer survivor develops urinary symptoms even without haematuria.

Keywords: breast cancer; urological cancer; urology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology*
  • Cystoscopy
  • Estradiol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Estradiol / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fulvestrant
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Urinary Bladder, Overactive / etiology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Fulvestrant
  • Estradiol
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2