Unique Presentation of Gastric Outlet Obstruction Due to Breast Cancer
Metastasis: A Case Report
Abstract
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a subtype of breast cancer, is
challenging to detect early due to its diffuse spread, and metastasis
often occurs before diagnosis. While ILC commonly metastasizes to the
bone and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, gastric involvement, particularly
causing gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), is rare. We present a
63-year-old Southeast Asian woman with a history of left breast ILC, who
developed GOO. Diagnostic evaluations, including endoscopy and PET CT,
revealed a large invasive mass in the gastric antrum, confirmed as
metastatic breast cancer. A stent was placed to relieve the obstruction,
and the patient started chemotherapy. This case highlights the unusual
presentation of ILC metastasizing to the stomach, forming a fungating
mass, which deviates from the typical linitis plastica pattern. It
underscores the importance of recognizing atypical metastatic behaviors
in ILC and the need for further research to improve diagnostic
approaches in such rare cases.