Penile cancer metastasizing to the breast: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundPenile cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer in developed nations. Metastatic disease is rare, but lymphatic or vascular spreading has been previously reported to the liver, lungs, bones, brain, heart and skin.Case presentationWe report a case of a 49-year-old white man with a penile squamous cell carcinoma previously treated with partial penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant therapy. Three years after treatment, the primitive neoplasm metastasized to the breast, presenting as a painful lump. Differentials of a secondary versus a malignant primary tumor were considered and in view of a diagnostic dilemma the lesion was excised.ConclusionsThis case is unusual in its site of metastatic progression as well as in its pattern of clinical presentation. Awareness of such a condition by physicians is mandatory in order to make an early diagnosis and start prompt and correct therapeutic planning.

Carcinoma of Penis with Metastasis to Right Breast

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case. 6 The lesion in this case involved right breast on clinical and radiological examination but was proven as skin metastasis pathologically. The biopsy proved it a deposit of invasive moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, not originating from overlying skin.…”

“…13,14 The review of literature of anecdotal reports suggests metastasis of penile cancer to lungs, liver, brain, skeleton, heart, retroperitoneum, skin of neck, and breast. 6,13,[15][16][17][18][19] In the first reported case of breast metastasis, the patient presented with a 2-cm irregular shaped lump, palpable near his left nipple. 6 The patient reported here, presented to us with an erythematous hard periareolar swelling lying in outer quadrant of right breast.…”

“…6,13,[15][16][17][18][19] In the first reported case of breast metastasis, the patient presented with a 2-cm irregular shaped lump, palpable near his left nipple. 6 The patient reported here, presented to us with an erythematous hard periareolar swelling lying in outer quadrant of right breast. In both the cases, axillary lymph nodes were not palpable 6 (present case).…”

Novel presentation of intraocular metastases in a patient with penile squamous cell carcinoma: a case report

“…However, tumor-cell dissemination through the blood is rare [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]. Research has shown that the lung and breast are the most frequent sites for PC metastasis, and other metastasis sites include the liver, brain, heart, skin, and bones [ 8 – 10 ]. Nevertheless, choroidal metastasis in PC is infrequent [ 3 , 4 ].…”