Endobronchial metastasis from breast carcinoma.

A case of endobronchial metastasis from breast cancer is presented. The anatomopathological findings suggested the presence of another primary site with metastatic pleural effusion. It is imperative, however, to consider intrathoracic metastasis in patients with breast carcinoma and presenting symptoms such as cough, dyspnea with radiological findings of pulmonary nodules, pneumonitis, atelectasis, pleural effusion and hilar lymphadenopathy. Endobronchial metastasis is extremely rare: it may be the result of carcinomatous emboli through the blood stream or direct invasion of the bronchus by the adjacent carcinomatous lymphadenopathy. Pleural effusion in patients with intrathoracic metastasis does not necessarily evidence pleural metastasis.