A Case of Synchronous Gastric and Intestinal Metastases from Breast Cancer with the Chief Complaint of Melena

Hitoshi Katai, Jun-ichi Koh, Noriaki Wada, Makoto Sano, Koutaro Maeda, Osami Yamamoto, Mitsumasa Hashimoto, Yoichiro Hosoda, Shintaro Terahata*

Department of Surgery, Social Insurance Saitama Chuo Hospital
*Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Defence Medical College

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of melena. Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract showed multiple small nodules with central dip. The biopsy specimen revealed malignant lymphoma. On laparotomy, these tumors were found not only in stomach but also in small intestine. Total gastrectomy and partial resection of the small intestine were performed. Histopathological findings showed metastases of carcinoma. While searching for the primary focus, a right breast tumor was found. Histologically, it was revealed to be invasive ductal carcinoma. It is rare for gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer to be found while the patients is still alive. Synchronous metastases are especially rare.

Key words
breast cancer, synchronous gastric metastasis, synchronous intestinal metastasis

Reprint requests
Hitoshi Katai Department of Surgery, Social Insurance Saitama Chuo Hospital
4-3-9 Kitaurawa, Urawa, 336 JAPAN

Accepted
September 8, 1993

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