When Blind Pathologists Lead Mute Clinicians: Autopsy of a Misdiagnosis Involving a Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma to the Breast Mimicking Primary Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Metastatic cancers to the breast are rare and can be diagnostically challenging. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, who developed breast masses. Her medical history was not known to the pathologist, and the case was misdiagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Following communication with the clinical team, ancillary tests were performed, and the report was amended to metastatic lung adenocarcinoma to the breast, highlighting the importance of specimen transfer of care and communication of key clinical data.