Metastatic breast cancer with a large fungating breast mass in a developed country: A caveat to our strategy

Abstract

A 49-years-old female presented with severe persistent headache. Further evaluation unraveled fungating right breast mass and a new diagnosis of poorly differentiated invasive ductal carcinoma with brain metastasis as the cause of the symptoms was made. Diagnosis of breast cancer with large fungating mass and brain metastasis on presentation in this era is still shocking. It makes us question the reasons behind these unfortunate presentations which include but are not limited to: unawareness about the risk factors, symptoms, complications and the available screening guidelines, embarrassment from the site of lesion, or socioeconomic status. Key Clinical MessageDiscussion about breast cancer and screening mammogram at 40-49 years will create awareness about it and encourage females volunteer any abnormalities. Breast examination at every annual physical visit should be encouraged among physicians.