Metastases to the breast from extramammary malignancies.

Metastases to the breast from all other primary sites are unusual. Twelve female patients were diagnosed between 1971 and 1985 at S. Chiara Hospital-Trento. The majority of these metastases were from malignant melanoma (5) and ovarian cancer (3). In 1 case the lesion was the first sign of malignant disease (adenocarcinoma of the kidney). The development of a breast metastasis is revealed, in our experience, as a negative prognostic factor. Recognition of these lesions as being metastatic is useful in avoiding unnecessary radical operative procedures.