Triple-Negative Lobular Breast Cancer Causing Hydronephrosis

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Patient with Ureteral Metastases from a Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Metastatic ureteral tumors arising from a primary breast carcinoma are extremely rare. They present with hematuria and radiological findings compatible with obstructive ureteral phenomena. We present a case of an 87-year-old woman with a history of lymphoma and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), during an emergency admission for peptic ulcer, developed macroscopic hematuria. Radiologic and endoscopic investigations revealed a remarkable stenosis at the lower segment of the right ureter, attributed to metastases from her breast carcinoma. We report this case with the aim to make both oncologists and urologists aware of this rare condition.

Epigenetics of Triple-negative breast cancer via natural compounds

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly resistant, lethal, and metastatic sub-division of breast carcinoma, characterized by the deficiency of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In women, TNBC shows a higher aggressive behavior with poor patient prognosis and a higher recurrence rate during reproductive age. TNBC is defined by the presence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), which shows a significant role in cancer progression. At the epigenetic level, TNBC is characterized by epigenetic signatures, such as DNA methylation, histone remodeling, and a host of miRNA, MiR-193, LncRNA, HIF-2α, eEF2K, LIN9/NEK2, IMP3, LISCH7/TGF-β1, GD3s and KLK12 mediated regulation. These modifications either are silenced or activate the necessary genes that are prevalent in TNBC. The review is based on epigenetic mediated mechanistic changes in TNBC. Furthermore, Thymoquinone (TQ), Regorafenib, Fangjihuangqi decoction, Saikosaponin A, and Huaier, etc., are potent antitumor natural compounds extensively reported in the literature. Further, the review emphasizes the role of these natural compounds in TNBC and their possible epigenetic targets, which can be utilized as a potential therapeutic strategy in treatment of TNBC.

Hydronephrosis Caused by Metastatic Breast Cancer

Breast cancer metastasizes mainly to organs such as bone, lung, and liver, whereas metastases to the peritoneum and urinary tract are rare. Metastasis to the peritoneum or urinary tract may result in renal dysfunction, infection, and painful hydronephrosis. In our hospital, 1,409 breast cancer surgeries were performed between January 2004 and December 2015, and 7 cases of hydronephrosis associated with recurrence were observed. The median age of patients was 69 years (57–79 years). The median time from surgery to diagnosis of hydronephrosis was 47 months (20–70 months). Histology was invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in 6 cases and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) in 1 case. There were 6 bilateral cases and 1 unilateral case of hydronephrosis. The causes were retroperitoneal metastasis in 5 cases and lymph node metastasis in 2 cases. The hydronephrosis was untreated in 2 cases, and treated with a ureteral stent in 2 cases, nephrostomy in 1 case, and nephrostomy due to ureteral stent failure in 2 cases. The median survival from the onset of hydronephrosis was 12 months (3–57 months). Although the probability of hydronephrosis in breast cancer recurrence was not high, care must be taken to avoid renal dysfunction, infection, or pain, which may require treatment.