[A gastric signet ring cell carcinoma as the first expression of a breast carcinoma]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2003 May 17;147(20):980-4.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

A 73-year-old woman presented with dull pain in the epigastric region, a rapid feeling of fullness upon eating and a weight loss of 10 kg in 6 months. Further examination showed linitis plastica due to a signet ring cell carcinoma in the stomach, multiple bone metastases, and an occult, small breast tumour. Immunohistochemical comparison of the tumours strongly suggested that all cases involved a metastasised breast carcinoma. At check-up after one year of tamoxifen treatment, the complaints had disappeared and the activity of the tumour marker had dropped. Gastric metastases from breast carcinoma are rare. Nevertheless, this possibility should be kept in mind in women presenting with malignancies of the stomach and mastopathy. Hormonal treatment and chemotherapy may result in reasonable palliation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / secondary
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen