A metastasis of an adenocarcinoma in a BRCA1 mutation carrier, a diagnostic problem not solved by morphology alone

Hum Pathol. 2004 May;35(5):629-32. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2003.11.008.

Abstract

To increase awareness of the possible coexistence of an ovarian and breast carcinoma in a BRCA1 mutation carrier, we describe a patient with primary ovarian cancer who developed distant metastases after 3 years and again after 6 years. Surprisingly, at that time an occult breast carcinoma was identified to be the origin of the 2 metastatic locations as confirmed by molecular analysis. Eventually the patient could be treated accordingly.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Genes, BRCA1*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology