An Unusual Case of Scalp Metastasis from Breast Cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The most common sites of breast cancer metastases are the bone, lung, liver, and brain. Scalp involvement in breast cancer metastasis is extraordinarily rare. CASE DESCRIPTION This study reports a 52-year-old woman who had a history of malignant right breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a soft tissue nodule measuring 1 × 0.7 cm located subcutaneously on the top left side of the scalp. A scalp mass excision operation was performed with an extended "S"-shaped incision, and the mass was sent for pathology. Immunohistochemistry showed the following results: CK7 +; ER 2+, 90%; GATA3 +; GCDFP-15 scattered cells+; mammaglobin -, napsin A -; and TTF-1 -. These results were consistent with the characteristics of primary right breast cancer, supporting scalp metastasis from breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Scalp metastasis from breast cancer is an exceedingly infrequent phenomenon. Close attention should be paid to soft tissue masses in patients with a healthy appearance and in those with a history of malignant cancer. When neurosurgeons operate on the mass, the circumscription and depth of the tumor must be given further attention.