Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: a rare case of breast carcinoma metastasizing to a pheochromocytoma, and a literature review

Diagn Pathol. 2019 May 20;14(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s13000-019-0816-2.

Abstract

Background: Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a well-recognized but uncommon entity. Breast carcinoma is one of the most common metastatic donors. Breast carcinoma metastasizes commonly to adrenal glands. However, the co-existence of a metastatic lesion with an existing adrenal tumor is a rare finding.

Case presentation: A 35-year-old woman was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma using computed tomography and ultrasound examinations. The tumor was surgically removed. Histological and immunohistochemical staining suggested that there were two components in the tumor: pheochromocytoma and metastatic cancer.

Conclusion: This is the second published case of pheochromocytoma with tumor-to-tumor metastasis from an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of awareness of tumor-to-tumor metastasis in pathological diagnosis.

Keywords: Breast carcinoma; Pheochromocytoma; Tumor-to-tumor metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / secondary
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adult
  • Breast / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pheochromocytoma / secondary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed