Pathological complete response in a patient affected by multiple synchronous, breast and lung primary malignancies: a case report and review of the literature

Pathologica. 2016 Dec;108(4):164-168.

Abstract

A pathological complete response in a patient affected by multiple synchronous, breast and lung primary malignancies is reported. A 63-year-old woman presented with an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and a lung adenocarcinoma. After multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent pulmonary left lower lobectomy followed by radio-chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine and started hormone therapy with letrozole. Ten months later, a left mastectomy with axillary lymph nodes dissection was performed. Histologically, a pathological complete response (pCR) was documented. With a review of the Literature, we discuss the issue of multiple primary malignancies, with its diagnostic and therapeutic implications. In cases of multiple synchronous malignancies it has been highlighted the importance of the choice of the best therapeutic approach for both the malignancies, reducing collateral individual effects.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Multiple primary malignancies; Pathological complete response; Pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary*
  • Treatment Outcome