A cadaveric case study on metastatic breast cancer pathology

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. The exact etiology of breast cancer is unknown, but over 70% of breast cancer cases involve only two risk factors: being a woman and being over the age of 50. Women with a family history of breast cancer, as well as women who experience early menopause, have an even greater risk of developing this disease. When considering racial demographics, African-American women have a 4-8% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than Caucasian women but are 40% more likely to die from the disease. Breast cancer commonly metastasizes to the bone, skin, lungs, and liver. Liver metastasis occurs in about 40-50% of women with metastatic breast cancer, but less than 1% of these cases progress to hepatic failure.

OBJECTIVES: The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the pathology associated with the patient’s cause of death: malignant neoplasm of the right breast, pleural effusion, ascites, and acute kidney injury. The secondary aims of this study were to determine the stage of breast cancer and analyze the distribution of various metastatic infiltrations throughout the body, specifically in the liver, abdominal cavity, and superficial cutaneous layers.

METHODS: This is a case report from one of the cadavers in the Gross Anatomy laboratory at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia campus. Samples from the patient’s breasts, liver, and skin will be sent to the Colquitt Regional Medical Center laboratory for histopathological processing.

CONCLUSION: Upon receiving histopathological results, we will analyze the malignancy status and further evaluate associated pathological findings. These results will be used to widen the breadth of knowledge surrounding breast cancer in hopes of improving care and patient outcomes.