A Case of Recurred Breast Cancer Causing Carcinomatous Cardiac Tampunade

It rarely occurs that breast cancer metastasizes to the pericardial cavity to cause cardiac tampunade. This time was experienced a case of recurred breast cancer causing carcinomatous cardiac tampunase.A 55-year-old female underwent modified radical mastectomy for a right breast cancer in February, 1987. The tumor was of T1n0m0 in stage I, and the patient received one course of MMF regimen postoperatively. On the 14th month after surgery, a metastatic lesion was found in the right supraclavicular lymph nodes. Supraclavicular lymph node dissection and irradiation therapy were performed. In the course of these treatments, the patient complained of chest pain and fell into shock state. Chest CT and echocardiography revealed a remarkable collection of pericardial fluid. A diagnosis of cardiac tampunade was made, and immediately pericardiocentesis and sustained drainage were started. From cytodiagnosis of the fluid, it was diagnosed as pericardial metastasis of breast cancer. As the systemic treatment, MMVC regimen was done. As a result, cardiac tampunade was favorably controlled, gradually pericardial fluid disappeared, and the patient could recover her daily activities.