Invasive lobular carcinoma metastasis to pancreas mimicking pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma: A case report and systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Metastasis to the gastrointestinal tract is a rare instance in the natural history of breast cancer, usually in association with lobular histology and widespread dissemination of disease. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with a history of invasive lobular carcinoma presenting with a pancreatic metastasis mimicking a primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma; we also present a systematic review of the relevant literature. The presentation of pancreatic metastasis in the setting of breast cancer is unspecific, and histology is of paramount importance for a correct diagnosis; surgical metastasectomy could be of some benefit in the correct clinical setting.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Invasive lobular carcinoma; Metastasectomy; Metastasis; Pancreas.