BREAST-CARCINOMA METASTATIC TO THE ESOPHAGUS - CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL AND MANAGEMENT FEATURES OF 4 CASES, AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

Dysphagia due to esophageal metastases from primary breast carcinoma i s an unusual entity, In this series of cases, we describe the clinical features of dysphagia due to metastatic esophageal lesions in four pa tients (with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer made 8-22 yr previou sly), We provide the first endoscopic ultrasound characterization of m etastatic lesions to the esophagus from breast carcinoma, Endoscopic m anagement of these strictures with both bougienage and balloon dilatio n techniques resulted in esophageal perforation in three of our four p atients, We believe that endoscopic ultrasound is helpful in the diagn osis of metastatic breast cancer to the esophagus, However, endoscopic dilation of these strictures should be done gently and only after oth er treatment options have been carefully considered.