A Case Report of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Bladder from Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Overview

Journal Ann Med Surg (Lond)

Publisher Wolters Kluwer

Specialty Medical Education

Date 2024 Sep 6

PMID 39238959

Authors

Tian Hou

Guangtai Shen

Xin Hu

Tubuxin Bai

Heping He

Zhipeng Zhang

Wenqi Bao

Ruibo Tian

Xiaoqiang Yu

Tianyang Sun

Xiaoli Ding

Xin Wang

Yuhai Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction And Importance: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, predominantly manifesting as invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which usually metastasizes to the bones, lungs, and liver. However, metastasis to the bladder is exceedingly rare, with few documented cases and limited understanding in the existing literature.

Case Presentation: A 57-year-old woman with a history of IDC presented with a lump in her left breast and was initially treated with chemotherapy and a modified radical mastectomy. Years later, she developed urinary symptoms, which upon investigation revealed multiple bladder tumors and right kidney hydronephrosis. Diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans, supported these findings.

Clinical Discussion: The discovery of bladder metastasis from IDC highlights significant diagnostic challenges due to the atypical presentation. The case underscores the importance of considering unusual metastatic sites in patients with known breast cancer, especially when they present with non-specific urinary symptoms. This report explores the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of such rare metastatic occurrences and discusses the implications for clinical practice.

Conclusion: This case exemplifies the critical need for heightened awareness and thorough evaluation in patients with unusual symptoms and a history of breast cancer. It calls for more comprehensive diagnostic approaches and possibly adjusted treatment protocols to better manage atypical metastases, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and contribute to a deeper understanding of metastatic breast cancer behavior.

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