Isolated breast metastases from gastrointestinal carcinomas: report of two cases

Two patients with metastatic gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in the breast are reported. Metastases in the breast are usually painless upper outer quadrant masses. On mammography they are typically well-circumscribed lesions without microcalcifications. A breast mass in a patient with a history of cancer, even if clinically or mammographically benign, should raise suspicion of a metastasis. Pathological features include a histologic pattern similar to the primary neoplasm and an absence of in situ carcinoma which characterizes primary breast cancer. Surgical excision for local control and systematic therapy is the most appropriate treatment.