Metastasis of rectal signet ring adenocarcinoma to the breast in a young woman after 10 years, a rare case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Breast metastasis of malignant tumors is very rare. The most common malignant tumor in this organ is of primary ductal origin. The most common site of metastasis in colorectal adenocarcinoma is liver. Metastasis of colorectal cancer to the breast parenchyma is an extremely rare event. Since 25 years ago, 22 cases of colorectal metastasis to the breast, presenting as breast mass have been reported in the English literature. In this case report, we will describe our experience with a young lady presenting with a breast mass 10 years after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Less than a year after excision of the breast mass (lumpectomy), the breast metastasis became so extensive that palliative mastectomy was the only palliative surgery to be performed for her. To the best of our knowledge our patient is the youngest case of breast metastasis from colorectal adenocarcinoma developing 10 years after surgery (the longest interval reported so far).