Breast carcinoma metastasis to the esophagus: report of two cases

A retrospective case report which describes two unusual cases of esophageal metastasis from breast cancer. Esophageal metastasis was detected in two women 10 and 23 years after mastectomy for breast cancer. Both lesions presented as a smooth constriction of the esophagus covered by normal esophageal mucosa that confounded gross and histologic diagnosis via endoscopy and biopsy. Ultrasound-guided, fine-needle aspiration led to the correct diagnosis preoperatively in one case. One patient successfully underwent surgical resection and was without recurrence one year later. The other patient had other multiple lesions and is receiving hormone therapy after insertion of an expandable metallic stent in the esophagus. Esophageal metastasis from breast carcinoma is rare, but does occur. Often presenting long after initial therapy, an aggressive approach may be justified if this is a solitary lesion.