A Case of 10-Year Survival after Adrenalectomy for Isolated Adrenal Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Tsuyoshi Nakagawa,Akihiro Yano,Hiroyuki Uetake,Hiroshi Kawachi,Goshi Oda

doi:10.3390/reports3030022

Abstract

Isolated adrenal metastasis of breast cancer is very rare, so adrenalectomy for breast cancer metastasis is rarely performed. The case of a breast cancer patient with five-year survival after resection of a left isolated adrenal metastasis is presented. A 70-year-old woman underwent left modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma (T2N1M0) 9 years earlier. At regular follow-up, a left adrenal mass, 4 cm in diameter, was seen on ultrasound examination and computed tomography (CT). Endoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Pathological examination confirmed isolated adrenal metastasis of breast cancer. After surgery, hormone therapy was given for 5 years. Ten years after adrenalectomy, no metastatic lesions in other organs have been found on CT. Adrenalectomy for a metastatic adrenal tumor of breast cancer may provide survival benefits when combined with systemic hormone therapy and chemotherapy, particularly in patients with disease confined to the adrenal glands.

Highlights

Metastasis to the adrenal glands is not rare among patients with systemic metastases from breast cancer
A good prognosis is expected after removal of an adrenal metastatic tumor
No metastatic lesions in other organs have been found on computed tomography (CT) (Figure 3)

Summary

Introduction

Metastasis to the adrenal glands is not rare among patients with systemic metastases from breast cancer. Isolated adrenal metastasis of breast cancer is very rare, so adrenalectomy for breast cancer metastasis is rarely performed. Resection of adrenal metastasis of cancers other than breast cancer has been reported. There are few reports about isolated adrenal metastases of breast cancer and their treatment. The indications of adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis of breast cancer remain unclear. A good prognosis is expected after removal of an adrenal metastatic tumor. The case of a breast cancer patient with 10-year survival after resection of a left isolated adrenal metastasis is presented

Case Presentation

Discussion