title: Bilateral axillary metastases of occult breast carcinoma: report of a case with a review of the literature.
abstract: The case of a 47-year-old premenopausal woman is presented in whom axillary lymph node metastases occurred on both sides 3 years apart although no primary tumor was detectable in either breast is presented. An overview of the literature on this rare entity is given. Patients with occult breast carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastases should have a complete physical examination, radiologic analysis (mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI of both breasts) and screening for disseminated disease. If there is no evidence of a primary tumor and metastases other than in the axilla, an axillary dissection should be carried out. In addition, the patient should be offered the choice of irradiation of the breast or mastectomy. Postoperatively, patients should receive appropriate systemic therapy tailored to their age, menopausal status, and receptor status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, P.O. Box 444, 3300AK Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steunebrink
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schnater
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Storm
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Ingen
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vegt
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Plaisier
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; D017697:Premenopause