Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Ovarian cancer metastatic to the breast.

Micha JP, Goldstein BH, Epstein HD, Rettenmaier MA, Brown JV

Gynecologic Oncology Associates, 351 Hospital Road, Suite 507, Hoag Cancer Center, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA. bram@gynoncology.com

BACKGROUND: Metastatic ovarian cancer to the breast should be considered in the differential diagnosis for gynecologic cancer patients with a breast tumor. Despite early detection and treatment, the long-term prognosis for these patients is poor. CASES: We present three ovarian cancer patients who developed metastatic ovarian cancer to the breast. All patients were heavily pre-treated prior to the development of metastatic disease. Currently, one patient is alive at 64 months following initial detection of her metastatic disease to the breast. The second and third patients are also alive for 30 and 3 months subsequent to their diagnosis of metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Although metastatic ovarian cancer to the breast following treatment for ovarian cancer is rare and associated with a poor prognosis, oncology physicians should be prepared to contend with disease metastatic to the breast. Additional investigation into the efficacy of surgery and novel chemotherapy agents is warranted.

Published 18 July 2006 in Gynecol Oncol, 102(2): 386-90.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Breast Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.