Palliative surgical treatment for liver metastases arising from breast cancer

Introduction: Patients with liver metastases arising from breast cancer presenting with jaundice have poor prognoses; most patients are not treated aggressively. However, we report an improvement in the quality of life (QOL) of the patient by inserting a biliary stent as palliative surgical treatment.Case presentation: The patient was a 63-year-old woman. She had left breast cancer and had undergone total mastectomy and axillar lymph node dissection (Bt+Ax) approximately 20 years ago. Thereafter, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were continued for approximately 5 years. Sixteen years after the surgery, the patient presented with hepatic failure; furthermore, total bilirubin (T-Bil) levels had increased to 5.5 mg/dl. Imaging revealed multiple liver metastases and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct. A biliary stent was placed, and treatment for obstructive jaundice was administered. After 3 months, the patient was able to maintain QOL without any increase in T-Bil levels.Conclusion: Palliative surgical treatment via biliary stenting for the onset of obstructive jaundice due to liver metastases arising from breast cancer can be useful for maintaining patient QOL.