Yonsei Med J.  1990 Sep;31(3):242-250. 10.3349/ymj.1990.31.3.242.

Male breast cancer: a 20-year review of 16 cases at Yonsei University

• Chung HC
• Koh EH
• Roh JK
• Min JS
• Lee KS
• Suh CO
• Kim KE
• Loh JJ
• Lee KB
• Kim BS

• KMID: 1107342
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1990.31.3.242

Abstract

Sixteen cases of male breast cancer seen over a 20-year period were reviewed. The causes of cancer of the male breast are no better understood, but major alterations in hormonal environment could be a significant factor. Some clinical characteristics correspond well with the results of other series. The median age at presentation was 61.7 years. The most frequent initial symptom was a painless mass, and the incidences of nipple discharge, central tumor location, and axillary node involvement were high. Males also had a higher incidence of local advancement which was associated with a longer delay in seeking treatment and small breast tissue. The pathologic type was infiltrating ductal type in all cases except one, and all cases showed favorable nuclear grade. Estrogen receptor analysis was performed from the tumor of 2 patients. Both of them showed a high receptor level. There was no locoregional relapse in 5 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy in contrast to the 2 relapses in 3 patients who underwent surgery alone. And three of the five patients who received radiotherapy suffered from systemic metastasis which suggested the important role of adjuvant chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. In light of the encouraging results about adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment for female breast cancer with axillary lymph node involvement, it would be desirable to extend this policy to male breast cancer.

Keyword

Male breast cancer; estrogen receptor; adjuvant treatment

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma/epidemiology
Adult
Aged
Breast Neoplasms/*epidemiology/pathology/therapy
Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/*epidemiology/pathology/therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Human
Korea/epidemiology
Lymphatic Metastasis
Male
Middle Age
Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
Retrospective Studies