Metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to an endometrial polyp diagnosed by hysteroscopic biopsy

• Published in: Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 102; no. 5; pp. 1149 - 1151
• Main Authors: Álvarez, C, Ortiz-Rey, J.A, Estévez, F, de la Fuente, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.11.2003; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Carcinoma, Lobular - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Lobular - secondary; Endometrial Neoplasms - diagnosis; Endometrial Neoplasms - secondary; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Polyps - pathology; Tumors; Human; Hysteroscopy; Malignant tumor; Metastasis; Lobular adenocarcinoma; Female genital diseases; Case study; Mammary gland diseases; Anatomic pathology; Uterus; Biopsy; Uterine diseases; Adult; Female; Mammary gland; Polyp
• ISSN: 0029-7844; 1873-233X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(03)00082-6

Secondary tumors involving the uterus are rare, and most come from the close vicinity. Among non-gynecologic origins, breast tumors are the most frequent, being predominantly of the lobular carcinoma type. A 69-year-old woman presented with metrorrhagia. The patient had been diagnosed 4 years before with infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma. Follow-up was uneventful. She underwent hysteroscopy with biopsy. An endometrial polyp was seen. Microscopically, small malignant cells diffusely infiltrated the endometrial stroma and surrounded the atrophic endometrial glands. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic lobular breast carcinoma. Although rare, breast tumors can metastasize to an endometrial polyp, even in the absence of other disseminations. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in a patient with known breast carcinoma can be the first sign of metastasis.