Breast cancer metastases to the thyroid and stomach: A case report

Bai,Xue; Fang,Canbin; Liu,Binliang; Huagn,Jiayi; Chen,Xuelian; Xie,Xiaofeng; Zhang,Qiuyi; Liu,Meidi; Liang,Jinyan; Guo,Jinfeng; Song,Lin; Lan,Xiaofeng; Chen,Liping; Huang,Suni; Deng,Wencui; Luo,Zhenzhen; Du,Caiwen

doi:10.3892/ol.2023.13972

Breast cancer metastases to the thyroid and stomach: A case report

Authors:
- Xue Bai
- Canbin Fang
- Binliang Liu
- Jiayi Huagn
- Xuelian Chen
- Xiaofeng Xie
- Qiuyi Zhang
- Meidi Liu
- Jinyan Liang
- Jinfeng Guo
- Lin Song
- Xiaofeng Lan
- Liping Chen
- Suni Huang
- Wencui Deng
- Zhenzhen Luo
- Caiwen Du
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518116, P.R. China, Cancer Center and Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361100, P.R. China, Department of Breast Cancer Medical Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518116, P.R. China
Published online on: July 20, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2023.13972
Article Number: 386

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Abstract

The most common sites of metastasis for breast cancer are the soft tissues, bones, lungs, liver and brain; however, metastases to the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid gland from breast cancer rarely occur. The present study describes the case of a 30‑year‑old woman who developed gastric and thyroid metastases 5 years after her initial diagnosis of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. The initial pathological diagnosis when receiving modified radical mastectomy was invasive ductal carcinoma, and further immunohistochemical examination revealed the cancer to be estrogen receptor (‑), progesterone receptor (‑), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; ++) and Ki‑67 (70%). Genetic testing indicated the HER2 amplification mutation, whereas BRCA1/2 testing was negative. A total of 21 months after surgery, during regular follow‑up, the patient was revealed to have developed an enlarged lymph node in the left side of the neck and the first recurrence was confirmed. Approximately 5 years after surgery, the patient gradually developed multi‑site metastasis, and developed metastases to the thyroid gland and stomach confirmed by pathology and imaging. Combined chemotherapy and targeted therapy were administered and exhibited good efficacy; however, the patient subsequently died due to heart failure. This case report describes the occurrence of gastric and thyroid metastases from breast cancer, and highlights the importance of distinguishing between metastatic and primary tumors. Distinguishing between a metastatic and primary tumor is crucial as treatment protocols vary significantly for these two types of tumors. For patients with a history of breast cancer it should first be considered whether they have metastasis of the primary disease or discomfort caused by treatment; however, the possibility of a second primary tumor cannot be ignored. If the patient has symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and stomach discomfort, a gastroscopy should be performed in a timely manner.

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