Gastric metastasis from breast cancer in male patient - Case report and literature review

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Oct:87:106418. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106418. Epub 2021 Sep 16.

Abstract

Introduction: Male breast cancer has a low incidence, and its metastases are considered even rarer and a sign of seriousness for the patient. Breast metastases are difficult to diagnose even in female patients, with few cases of gastric metastasis described in the current literature.

Presentation of case: Male patient, 54 years old, obese, diagnosed with breast cancer for 8 years, underwent 5 years of cancer follow-up. After this period, he began to experience epigastric pain and weight loss, among other symptoms. Endoscopy was performed, showing rounded elevated lesions with central depression. After anatomopathological and biochemical tests, a diagnosis of differentiated carcinoma as a metastasis of breast origin was concluded.

Discussion: MBC is rare when compared to the incidence in females. Its risk factors differ between genders, and due to its rarity, there are few studies in the male population. This fact makes the evaluation of metastases more difficult. Gastric metastasis has a very low incidence even in women, approximately 8.9% of all breast cancer metastasis's locations. Other pathologies can mimic GM, always associating anatomopathological and biochemical tests. Oncological follow-up must always be carried out, and the possibility of screening must be evaluated.

Conclusion: Despite the rare incidence and little information in the literature, the association between MBC and GM should be considered. Currently, there is no guidance for conducting systematic screenings and treatment is usually palliative due to the severity of the disease.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, male; Endoscopy; Neoplasm metastasis; Stomach neoplasms.