Metastases to the breast from all other primary sites are unusual. Twelve female patients were diagnosed between 1971 and 1985 at S. Chiara Hospital – Trento. The majority of these metastases were from malignant melanoma (5) and ovarian cancer (3). In 1 case the lesion was the first sign of malignant disease (adenocarcinoma of the kidney). The development of a breast metastasis is revealed, in our experience, as a negative prognostic factor. Recognition of these lesions as being metastatic is useful in avoiding unnecessary radical operative procedures.