An appraisal of male mammography in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Male breast diseases are uncommon and male breast cancer is rare, constituting about 1% of breast cancers seen worldwide. Previous studies have shown that gynecomastia and carcinoma are the commonest conditions affecting the male breast, with increasing incidence of both in recent years. Imaging studies of male breast diseases constitute only about 1% of overall breast imaging in most centres. Objectives: To determine and document the pattern of male breast diseases seen in the mammography unit of Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of all male patients with complaints of breast swelling referred for imaging at the department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a six year period from September 2007 to December 2013. The medical records, imaging and biopsy results were reviewed. Results: Ten male patients were referred for breast imaging, ranging in age from 14 to 58 years with mean age of 31.3 + 13 years. Nine (90%) had gynecomastia, of which five were histologically-proven, and one had acute mastitis. Carcinoma was not diagnosed in any of these patients. The left breast was affected in 80% of cases. Conclusion: Gynecomastia is the commonest male breast lesion in our environment. Awareness of the usefulness of imaging studies of male breast lesions needs to be encouraged.