Breast cancer with synchronous massive metastasis in the uterine cervix: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer is rare in the female genital tract, and when present it more commonly tends to involve ovary or endometrium; uterine cervix is only occasionally involved. This condition poses differential diagnostic problems in the settings of clinical and pathological investigations. An asymptomatic 78-year-old woman came to our attention in the context of routine gynecological surveillance; clinical examination disclosed enlarged uterine body and cervix. Our patient then underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging that outlined the possibility of cervical cancer with parametrial involvement. Moreover, a suspect mass was found on the mammogram in the left breast. Breast surgical excision was performed, which revealed invasive breast carcinoma, while synchronous cervical biopsy discovered distant metastasis in the uterine cervix. On histological examination, both lesions showed non-cohesive architectural pattern consistent with lobular morphology; anyway, to rule out primary poorly differentiated cervical cancer, appropriate immunohistochemical panel was performed, which confirmed the mammary derivation of the tumor. Due to disseminate disease, the patient underwent multisystemic medical treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy, and she is still alive at 30-month follow-up. Genital tract metastases in patients with known breast carcinoma can present with abnormal vaginal bleeding, but they often are asymptomatic. Therefore, only strict gynecological surveillance of these patients can permit early detection of these secondary lesions. Aggressive treatment of isolated cervical metastasis should be performed when feasible; otherwise, systemic chemotherapy with taxane could be sufficient in increasing survival. It should be emphasized that, in most cases, only accurate immunohistochemical investigation, particularly if performed on the primary lesion as well, can solve differential diagnostic problems and allow the clinician to establish appropriate treatment.