The evaluation and treatment implications of isolated pulmonary nodules in patients with a recent history of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer patients with pulmonary lesions are often assumed to have metastatic disease and treated palliatively. We evaluated the proportion of these patients who actually have primary lung tumor (PLT) and assessed their outcome.


METHODS
We performed a 10-year retrospective review of the cancer registry in a community hospital system.


RESULTS
Among 54 breast cancer patients with pulmonary nodules, biopsy was pursued in 30. Although metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was presumed in 24, biopsy showed MBC in 9 patients and PLT in 21. The two groups differed in age, stage, breast tumor size, nodal involvement, and estrogen receptor (ER) positivity. However, no variable excluded the possibility of PLT. Of those with PLT, 11 had early-stage lung disease; 9 underwent curative resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with breast cancer and 1 or more pulmonary lesions without evidence of other metastatic disease require work-up of pulmonary lesions. Aggressive evaluation can afford treatment of lung cancer and impact survival.
Chang
Eugene Y
EY
Legacy Cancer Services, Surgical Associates, 1130 N.W. 22nd St., Ste. 500, Portland, OR 97210, USA.
Johnson
William
W
Karamlou
Kasra
K
Khaki
Ali
A
Komanapalli
Christopher
C
Walts
Deb
D
Mahin
Diana
D
Johnson
Nathalie
N
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors