article · Nigerian Journal of Oncology
Colorectal cancer typically metastasises to the liver, lungs, and peritoneum, making spread to the breast exceptionally rare. A case involving a patient naive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy highlights this presentation, where the individual arrived with signs of colorectal cancer alongside a groin mass and a breast mass. Subsequent biopsy and histopathological analysis confirmed primary rectal mucinous carcinoma with metastatic mucinous carcinoma in the breast tissue. Clinical staging revealed peritoneal deposits as well as inguinal and para-aortic lymph node involvement, despite an absence of disease in the liver or lungs. The condition progressed rapidly, and the patient died roughly two months following the initial presentation. Clinical awareness of potential breast metastasis from rectal cancer is vital, as unusual secondary sites can be overlooked. Proper diagnosis relies on careful clinical evaluation, histology, and immunohistochemistry to ensure timely recognition and management.
Recognising atypical patterns of cancer progression helps clinicians identify secondary tumours that might otherwise be misidentified as separate primary cancers. Although colorectal cancer usually spreads to the liver and lungs, unusual sites such as the breast can occur. Accurate diagnosis through tissue examination ensures that patients receive appropriate care and realistic prognostic evaluations during advanced disease management.
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Introduction: There are few cases of breast metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). The most common sites of metastases of colorectal cancer are the liver, lungs and the peritoneum. Breast metastases from colorectal cancers are very rare and metastases to distant sites signify a very poor prognosis. We report a case of a chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment naive patient who presented with clinical features suggestive of colorectal cancer, a groin mass and a breast mass. Biopsy and histopathological assessment of the rectal and breast mass samples showed rectal mucinous carcinoma and metastatic mucinous carcinoma respectively. Staging investigations done showed peritoneal deposits, inguinal and paraaortic lymph nodes involvement, but no metastasis to the lungs and liver. She however passed away approximately two months after presentation. The awareness of the possibility of rectal cancer to metastasize to the breast is important, as this can be missed due to its location. A good history, physical examination, histology and immunohistochemistry are very vital for appropriate diagnosis and by extension treatment of these patients.
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DOI: 10.67579/njo.2025.a5ebkloc
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