Skin Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients; a Case Series

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. It frequently metastasizes to bones, lungs and liver. Although rare, skin metastasis may also take place. It may also be the presenting feature of initial or recurrent breast cancer. The assessment of recurrent metastatic disease involving skin after mastectomy can be challenging because of the benign-appearing clinical presentation. The purpose of this case series was to explore the clinical and radiological presentation of skin metastasis in patients of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective case series of breast cancer patients with skin lesions on chest and abdomen at the time of initial presentation, or post-treatment such as, after mastectomy or breast conservation therapy; who underwent various radiological investigations including mammography, ultrasound scan, computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging from 1 May 2018 to 30 September 2019 at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Pakistan. Results: A total of eight cases were identified, out of which seven were females. The most common presentation consisted of the presence of metastatic nodules which were seen in 62.5% (five out of eight) of the patients. Other features consisted of erythematous or plaque-like skin thickening on clinical examination, increased density with indistinct margins seen on a mammogram and diffuse oedematous changes in the skin with small irregular mass or infiltration into subcutaneous tissues were visualised on ultrasound and CT studies. Conclusion: Skin metastasis from breast cancer most commonly presents as nodules, although rarely they may present as plaques or diffuse skin thickening. Awareness of diverse manifestations of skin metastasis is of utmost importance in early diagnosis and management.

Keywords

• Breast cancer
• case series
• cutaneous lesions
• radiological imaging
• skin metastasis