Sternal Resection for Sternal Metastasis from Breast Cancer: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: There has been increasing trend towards surgical treatment of metastases across different cancer types, including breast cancer, in the recent decade. Single metastasis of breast cancer to sternum is a rare situation. We present a case of sternectomy for metastasis from breast cancer.

Case presentation: A 58-year-old woman with a history of modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer 13 years earlier, presented with a mass over sternum. Diagnostic work up revealed a mass involving sternum and no evidence of systemic spread. She underwent resection of sternum and reconstruction of chest wall. Pathology revealed an invasive carcinoma that was hormone receptor positive on immunohistochemistry. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were delivered after surgery and hormone therapy with Letrozole was initiated. She is disease free 37 months after surgery.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment of solitary sternal metastasis of breast cancer is justifiable and may result in long term disease-free survival.