Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma, Metastatic Mimics of Breast Cancer

Merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma can each occur primarily in breast skin, or metastasize to the breast. The breast is a rare site of metastasis of essentially any and every type of tumor, including carcinomas, sarcomas, and hematolymphoid neoplasms, and 10 –30% of breast metastases may represent the initial presentation of disease. Although metastases generally recapitulate histologic features of the primary tumor, they are diagnostically challenging given their rarity and morphologic overlap with breast carcinoma, including special types of breast cancer.
Source: Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Review article Source Type: research