Recurrence Developing 21 Years after Treatment of Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT

Background: Breast cancer is a very common cancer among females. In which most recurrence (around 75%) occurs within the initial 5 years after diagnosis, especially within 3 years. Recurrence after 20 years is very less reported in the last few decades. Case Information We are presenting a case of a 67-year old female patient presented with pleural based nodules suggestive of lung metastasis followed by brain metastasis. After reviewing history we came to know that the patient was a previously treated case of breast carcinoma treated 22 years back with mastectomy. Conclusion: We report late recurrence of breast cancer occurring 21 years after mastectomy suggesting that possibility of recurrence in carcinoma breast with 21-years latency period although rare should be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding patients who may need long term follow up.