Male breast cancer: a report of 25 cases

Abstract

Male breast cancer is a rare disease accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses worldwide to our knowledge. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyse the epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutive profiles of this disease and to compare some cancer aspects between male and female in 25 cases collected at Mohamed VI Oncology Center at the University Hospital of Casablanca between 2012 and 2018. Of all breast cancers, men with breast cancer make up a minority. Male compared to female breast cancers occurred later in life with higher stage and more estrogen receptor-positive tumors. The median age was 67.7 years. The average diagnosis delay was 15.7 month. Cancer was discovered through self examination in 76.1% of cases. The mean diameter was 3.5 cm and range from 1-6 cm. According to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification, tumors were classified as T1-T2 (40%) and T3-T4 (60%). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most frequent (92%) and 1 case of lobular carcinoma. Axillary nodal involvement was present in 82.4% of cases. Hormonal receptors were positive in 83% of cases. 86.6% of our cases present metastasis. Bone was the most representative site. Surgery was usually mastectomy with axillary clearance. It was possible to follow 21 of the patients. The median of follow-up was 12 months. The evolution has been characterized by local recurrence in 6 cases. There was 9 cases of death. Death was usually due to comorbid disease and to the advanced age. The 5 years overall survival rates were 57%.