Breast Metastasis from a Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mimicking a Primary Breast Malignancy

Breast metastases from other primary sites are rare, and the cervix is an unlikely primary lesion. We report a case of a breast metastasis from a cervical carcinoma in a 46-year-old woman. 3 years after completion of treatment of the primary tumor in the cervix, she developed breast lesions mimicking a primary breast carcinoma with probable metastatic pleural effusion. Pathological examination of the breast lesion, fine needle aspiration cytology of the supraclavicular lymph node and cytology from the pleural fluid confirmed the diagnosis of breast metastasis from a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. There was a diffuse lump in the breast, associated with axillary lymphadenopathy, cervical lymphadenopathy and malignant pleural effusion. CT scanning of the chest revealed multiple nodular irregular lesions in the left breast with associated mediastinal, axillary and cervical lymphadenopathy. Differential diagnosis of such lesions may be difficult but is essential to avoid unnecessary surgery and to initiate the appropriate systemic therapy.