Metastases to the Breast

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Metastases to the breast are rare, yet correct identification of a neoplasm as a metastasis is imperative for patient treatment as well as prognosis. Non-hematopoietic, solid-organ metastases to the breast account for approximately 0.2–1.2% of all breast neoplasms. In adults, melanoma is the single most common solid-organ neoplasm to involve the breast, followed by pulmonary and ovarian carcinomas. In the pediatric/adolescent population, metastases to the breast outnumber primary breast neoplasms, with rhabdomyosarcoma being the most common neoplasm to involve the breast. Metastases to the breast present a diagnostic challenge due to the overlapping morphologic features with primary breast carcinoma. Certain histologic features may suggest that a lesion is not a primary breast neoplasm, such as estrogen receptor negativity in a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (suggestive of pulmonary or gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma), psammomatous calcifications in an adenocarcinoma with micropapillary features (suggestive of papillary serous carcinoma), and melanin pigment in a high-grade epithelioid neoplasm (suggestive of melanoma). A thorough clinical history, a clinical workup, and a targeted immunohistochemical panel are often necessary to reach the correct diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationA Comprehensive Guide to Core Needle Biopsies of the Breast, Second Edition
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages917-948
Number of pages32
ISBN (Electronic)9783031055324
ISBN (Print)9783031055317
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2022

Keywords

  • Metastasis
  • Metastatic carcinoma
  • Metastatic melanoma
  • Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Metastatic sarcoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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