Diagnostic challenge in silent metastatic invasive breast carcinoma: dysphagia as the only symptom

Abstract

Metastatic cancer to the oesophagus is rare. Most cases are diagnosed at autopsy or surgery. The breast is the most common organ bearing a primary tumour. Metastatic oesophageal tumours are nearly always located in the submucosal layer with normal benign-looking mucosa, rendering tissue diagnosis difficult. In the absence of breast-related symptoms, the diagnosis of oesophageal metastasis from breast primary would be very challenging. We report a case of a 50 year-old woman, who was referred to our centre for a second opinion after she was offered an esophagectomy for a suspected oesophageal carcinoma. She presented solely with dysphagia and weight loss. Multiple investigations were performed to investigate her dysphagia which eventually led to the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer with oesophageal involvement. She underwent excision of right breast invasive lobular carcinoma with axillary dissection. She completed her adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and currently on daily dose of tamoxifen, whereby her dysphagia has dramatically improved.