# Incidental Cardiac Metastasis in Breast Carcinoma

## TL;DR

A case of hidden breast cancer spread to the heart highlights the difficulty in diagnosing rare cardiac metastases.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel case of asymptomatic cardiac metastasis in breast cancer detected postmortem.

## Key findings

- Cardiac metastasis from breast carcinoma can be asymptomatic and undetectable by imaging.
- Autopsy revealed myocardial and epicardial infiltration by metastatic breast cancer.
- The case emphasizes the need for awareness of rare metastatic sites in advanced cancer management.

## Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Metastatic breast cancer is a major global health burden, with common metastatic sites including the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. Cardiac metastasis is rare and often clinically silent, leading to underdiagnosis. Recognizing cardiac involvement, even when asymptomatic, is important for understanding the full extent of disease and ensuring optimal patient care. Case Presentation: We report the case of a woman with advanced breast carcinoma who showed no clinical or imaging evidence of cardiac involvement throughout the course of her illness. Following her death from progressive metastatic disease, an autopsy revealed metastatic carcinoma infiltrating the myocardium and epicardium without gross cardiac abnormalities. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the tumor’s origin from breast carcinoma. Conclusions: This case illustrates the potential for clinically occult cardiac metastasis in breast cancer and underscores the importance of pathological examination in detecting hidden metastatic sites. The absence of cardiac symptoms or imaging abnormalities highlights the diagnostic challenge of this rare manifestation and the need for greater awareness in managing advanced malignancies.