Clinicopathological characteristics of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow in breast cancer patients

  • Authors:
    • Yoshiaki Shinden
    • Keishi Sugimachi
    • Fumiaki Tanaka
    • Kenji Fujiyoshi
    • Yuko Kijima
    • Shoji Natsugoe
    • Koshi Mimori
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 15, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1502
  • Pages: 93-98
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow (DCBM) is characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth of tumor cells in the bone marrow and is associated with systemic hematological disorders. Bone marrow metastases from breast cancer are not rare, and they may lead to serious life‑threatening conditions when there is an associated hematological disorder. Therefore, DCBM necessitates a definitive diagnosis and prompt systemic therapy. We herein present 4 such cases and a review of the previous relevant literature. Bone marrow biopsy is an effective method for diagnosing DCBM, and it may also be useful for selecting the optimal therapy. The malignant cells in the bone marrow biopsy specimens from all 4 patients were negative for progesterone receptor expression, and in 1 case, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu expression was discordant between the primary tumor and the bone marrow metastases. Patients with DCBM often require granulocyte colony‑stimulating factor and/or blood transfusions due to a DCBM‑related hematological disorder. Although systemic chemotherapy for DCBM may temporarily exacerbate the need for hematological support, systemic chemotherapy may be effective for DCBM in breast cancer patients. In our experience, endocrine therapy has also been proven effective for DCBM. The aim of the present study was to review the clinical characteristics and the treatments used in 4 breast cancer patients with DCBM.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

January-2018
Volume 8 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Shinden Y, Sugimachi K, Tanaka F, Fujiyoshi K, Kijima Y, Natsugoe S and Mimori K: Clinicopathological characteristics of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow in breast cancer patients. Mol Clin Oncol 8: 93-98, 2018
APA
Shinden, Y., Sugimachi, K., Tanaka, F., Fujiyoshi, K., Kijima, Y., Natsugoe, S., & Mimori, K. (2018). Clinicopathological characteristics of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow in breast cancer patients. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 8, 93-98. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1502
MLA
Shinden, Y., Sugimachi, K., Tanaka, F., Fujiyoshi, K., Kijima, Y., Natsugoe, S., Mimori, K."Clinicopathological characteristics of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow in breast cancer patients". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 8.1 (2018): 93-98.
Chicago
Shinden, Y., Sugimachi, K., Tanaka, F., Fujiyoshi, K., Kijima, Y., Natsugoe, S., Mimori, K."Clinicopathological characteristics of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow in breast cancer patients". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 8, no. 1 (2018): 93-98. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1502