Endoscopy 1998; 30(9): 800-804
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1001425
Case Report

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Metastatic Gastric Cancer Arising from Breast Carcinoma: Endoscopic Ultrasonographic Aspects

G. Lorimier1 , C. Binelli2 , P. Burtin3 , P. Maillart4 , G. Bertrand5 , V. Verriele5 , E. Fondrinier1
  • 1Surgery Unit, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
  • 2Obstetric and Gynecology Unit, University Hospital, Angers, France
  • 3Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Angers, France
  • 4Chemotherapy Unit, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
  • 5Dept. of Pathology, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Linitis plastica of the stomach was diagnosed in four patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed in four cases; they were monitored by EUS and had their treatment adapted accordingly. According to the present study, the typical criteria of gastric linitis at EUS are: (a) rigidity of the gastric wall; (b) a wall thickness exceeding 6 mm; (c) a second enlarged layer marginally more echogenic than the fourth hypoechogenic layer (muscularis propria); (d) a third hyperechogenic enlarged layer; and (e) a poor demarcation between layers. Gastric linitis appears more likely to be specific metastasis from lobular breast carcinoma. In most of the follow-up cases, EUS showed correlation with a subsequent decrease of the CA 15.3 level. At present, EUS seems to be the most effective and least invasive examination for clinical diagnosis and treatment surveillance of secondary gastric linitis arising from infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast.