Metastatic breast lobular carcinoma to tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyp: case report and literature review

Ann Diagn Pathol. 2005 Jun;9(3):166-8. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2005.03.003.

Abstract

Tamoxifen is a widely used adjuvant treatment of breast carcinoma with partial estrogenic agonist effect. This activity may result in a spectrum of proliferative endometrial abnormalities including uterine polyps. We report a 53-year-old woman receiving tamoxifen for previously excised breast lobular carcinoma who presented with vaginal bleeding. Histologic examination of the endometrium revealed typical morphology of tamoxifen-associated polyp with foci of metastatic lobular carcinoma. Metastatic breast carcinoma to tamoxifen-associated polyp has rarely been described in the literature. Pathologists and gynecologists should be aware of this possibility in women who have a history of breast carcinoma and who are receiving tamoxifen. Careful histologic evaluation of the endometrium is crucial.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / secondary
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Polyps / chemically induced*
  • Polyps / chemistry
  • Polyps / pathology
  • Polyps / surgery
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Tamoxifen