Breast Cancer With Airway Edema Caused by Metastatic Fracture of the Cervical Vertebra

Abstract

Bone is a common site of breast cancer metastasis, with the spine showing a particularly high affinity. An 83-year-old Japanese woman with Alzheimer’s disease presented with a palpable mass in her left breast. A needle biopsy revealed invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, with lymph node metastasis. Chest dynamic computed tomography showed no distant metastases. She was diagnosed with luminal-type, stage IIB (T2N1M0) breast cancer and underwent surgery. During induction of general anesthesia, intubation was difficult due to airway edema, necessitating bronchoscopy. The day after surgery, she reported neck pain, and radiography revealed a compression fracture of the third cervical vertebra. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a metastatic lesion in the third cervical vertebra. Postoperatively, she received endocrine therapy with letrozole, radiation therapy with zoledronic acid, and a cervical collar for cervical metastases. Seven months later, the osteolytic lesion calcified, and her pain improved. This case is unique because solitary cervical vertebral metastases from breast cancer, leading to compression fractures and airway edema, are rare. The case highlights the importance of considering cervical metastases in patients with breast cancer who develop airway difficulties or unexplained neck pain, particularly in the perioperative setting. Early recognition and intervention are crucial for preventing complications and optimizing patient outcomes.