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Breast cancer metastatic to the rectum: a case report

Techniques in Coloproctology volume 15, pages 91–93 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with breast cancer may present with systemic recurrence in any organ, primarily the bones, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, pleura, and adrenal glands. We report a case of rectal tumor, metastatic from breast cancer, which represents an unusual location of metastasis.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old woman, operated for lobular breast cancer 5 years ago, but not compliant with the annual follow-up, presented with severe constipation and pseudodiarrhea. Digital examination and anoscopy revealed a mass at the lower rectum, 2 cm distant from the anal verge. CT and MRI scan of the abdomen confirmed this finding and did not reveal metastatic lesions elsewhere. The patient underwent abdominoperineal resection.

Results

The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day. The histopathological findings revealed rectal cancer, metastatic from the known invasive lobular breast cancer.

Conclusions

Rectal metastasis from breast cancer is very rare. The presented case emphasizes the need to keep in mind this possibility and at all times associate the emergency condition with the related history of breast cancer.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Asklipiou 10, Pilea, Thessaloniki, Greece

    C. Efthimiadis, C. Kosmidis, P. Fotiadis, G. Anthimidis, K. Vasiliadou, G. Ioannidou & G. Basdanis

  2. 1st Propedeutic Surgical Department, Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki, A.H.E.P.A. Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    A. Mekras

Authors
  1. C. Efthimiadis
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  2. C. Kosmidis
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  3. P. Fotiadis
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  4. G. Anthimidis
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  5. K. Vasiliadou
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  6. A. Mekras
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  7. G. Ioannidou
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  8. G. Basdanis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Kosmidis.

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Efthimiadis, C., Kosmidis, C., Fotiadis, P. et al. Breast cancer metastatic to the rectum: a case report. Tech Coloproctol 15, 91–93 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-011-0740-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-011-0740-2

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Rectal tumor
  • Metastatic