Breast cancer recurrence in esophagus, stomach, and liver, 15 years following primary surgery: report of a case

Abstract

Metastasis of breast cancer to the gastrointestinal tract is relatively rare. We hereby report a case of breast cancer recurrence in the esophagus, stomach, and liver, 15 years following primary surgery. A 67-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of dysphagia. Fifteen years previously, she had undergone right mastectomy for breast carcinoma. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed circumferential stenosis without mucosal abnormality in the lower esophagus and enlarged gastric folds and defective extension in the upper stomach. Biopsy specimens from the esophagus and gastric folds were consistent with invasive lobular carcinoma. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed two hepatic tumors, and liver biopsy revealed breast cancer recurrence. Immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence in the esophagus, stomach, and liver. Gastrointestinal metastases should be considered for patients with breast cancer who present with gastrointestinal symptoms, even if the primary tumor was treated many years previously.