Breast cancer metastasis to the bladder: a literature review

Abstract

Given the prevalence of breast cancer and the mortality associated with metastatic disease, it is imperative for physicians to not only be aware of common sites but also of rare metastatic destinations such as the bladder. A postmenopausal woman with a medical history of stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, oestrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, in remission for 9 years, presented to her primary care physician with concerns of increased urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence. The patient underwent cystoscopy with biopsy of an area of granulation tissue. Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma consistent with breast primary. The common sites of metastases from breast cancer are lung, bone and liver. This case is unique where breast cancer was found to metastasise to the bladder. It is important for physicians to consider further investigation when a breast cancer survivor develops urinary symptoms even without haematuria.

Keywords: breast cancer; urological cancer; urology.

Figure 1

CT scan showing diffuse bladder wall thickening most notably on the left and posterior wall.

Figure 2

Urinary bladder biopsy revealing metastatic adenocarcinoma consistent with breast primary infiltrating the submucosa, (A) H&E staining (600×). (B) Cytokeratin staining (100×). (C) BRST-2 positive staining (100×). (D) H&E staining (100×).