Breast metastatic disease originates from which primary sites?

• A. Lymphoma, Melanoma, Ovarian, Lung
• B. Prostate, Colon, Pancreas, Stomach
• C. Breast Cancer Only
• D. Liver, Kidney, Brain, Skin

Answer: (A)

Breast metastases come from cancers that originated outside the breast and spread to it, rather than from a primary breast tumor. The most frequently reported sources are lymphoid cancers (lymphoma), melanoma, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. These cancers can disseminate through the bloodstream to breast tissue, creating metastatic deposits that may look similar to primary breast cancers but have a different origin on biopsy. The set that lists lymphoma, melanoma, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer matches these common extramammary sources, so it’s the best choice. Other primaries (like prostate, colon, pancreas, stomach) are far less likely to metastasize to the breast, and while skin cancers in general can metastasize, melanoma is already accounted for in the first group and isn’t a typical standalone breast metastasis source.