title: Penile cancer metastasizing to the breast: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penile cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer in developed nations. Metastatic disease is rare, but lymphatic or vascular spreading has been previously reported to the liver, lungs, bones, brain, heart and skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 49-year-old white man with a penile squamous cell carcinoma previously treated with partial penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant therapy. Three years after treatment, the primitive neoplasm metastasized to the breast, presenting as a painful lump. Differentials of a secondary versus a malignant primary tumor were considered and in view of a diagnostic dilemma the lesion was excised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case is unusual in its site of metastatic progression as well as in its pattern of clinical presentation. Awareness of such a condition by physicians is mandatory in order to make an early diagnosis and start prompt and correct therapeutic planning.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy. franceschinigianluca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Alejandro Martin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Leone
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scaldaferri
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulè
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Melania
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masetti
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine