Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Surgical Procedures and Methodology for a Preclinical Murine Model of De Novo Mammary Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 29, 2017
[Mammary metastasis of extramammary cancers: current knowledge and diagnostic difficulties]
A Koch1, A Richter-Marot, M P Wissler
1Unité de sénologie, pôle de gynécologie-obstétrique, hôpital Hautepierre, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, avenue Molière, 67200 Strasbourg cedex, France.
Objectives:
Intramammary metastasis (IM) of non-breast cancers are infrequent. The purpose of this review of literature was to update the knowledge and explain diagnostic errors.
Patients And Methods:
A review of literature with PubMed was used to select 54 articles published in English between 2003 and 2012.
Results:
Melanoma (138 cases, 29.8%) were more frequently responsible of 463 cases of MIM, followed by lung, gynecological, gastrointestinal and hematologic cancers. IM occur mainly in women (92.2%), around 50 years, and are metachronous (84.2%). Clinically, they are usually round, painless, without skin retraction and associated with adenopathies (33%). In imaging, they are frequently single. Diagnosis, sometimes evoked by morphological study of the tumor, is confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Systemic metastasis are common, involving a shorter survival.
Discussion:
The prevalence of primitive cancers is not alone responsible for the frequency of IM, as we can observe it with melanoma. The "seed and soil" hypothesis of Paget may explain it: some tumor cells grow preferentially in selected organs. Vascularity of the breast also seems to be an important factor. Clinically, IM can be confused with benign tumors. However, a history of cancer and multiple lesions should raise the suspicion of malignancy. In imaging, signs are non-specific. The morphological characteristics do not confirm the diagnosis with certainty. Immuno-histochemistry is fundamental, as the comparison with the histology of primary tumor. Support is mainly palliative.
Insights
Intramammary metastases (IM) from non-breast cancers, especially melanoma, are rare but can mimic benign tumors. Early diagnosis requires considering cancer history and using immunohistochemistry for confirmation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Context:
- Intramammary metastasis (IM) from non-breast cancers is an infrequent clinical occurrence.
- Understanding the diagnostic challenges and patterns of IM is crucial for accurate patient management.
Purpose:
- To update the current knowledge on intramammary metastasis from non-breast cancers.
- To elucidate common diagnostic errors and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Summary:
- A literature review of 54 articles (2003-2012) identified 463 cases of IM, with melanoma being the most common primary cancer (29.8%).
- IM typically presents in women around age 50, often as a metachronous metastasis, and can be clinically and radiologically mistaken for benign lesions.
- Diagnosis relies heavily on immunohistochemistry, especially when clinical presentation and imaging are non-specific.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of considering a patient's cancer history when evaluating breast lesions.
- Emphasizes the role of immunohistochemistry in confirming IM, differentiating it from primary breast cancer or benign conditions.
- Suggests that the 'seed and soil' hypothesis and breast vascularity may influence IM development, impacting patient survival, which is often shorter with systemic metastasis.
