Male breast cancer – Experience at a tertiary care center in India

Abstract

Introduction: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare affliction accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases. The treatment guidelines of MBC mirror those of female breast cancer which are derived mostly from data obtained from studies involving female breast cancer patients. Data on MBC are mostly limited to single-institution studies due to the rarity of the disease. This study was undertaken to assess retrospectively the pattern of demographic and clinicopathological factors in MBC treated at our tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: Records of MBC treated between January 2019 and December 2020 in our institute were analyzed and data regarding the demographic and clinicopathological profile of patients was recorded. Observational retrospective single centre study. Results: A total of 12 patients of MBC were encountered with a median age of 58 years. The painless lump was the most common presentation with the retro-areolar region being the most commonly involved site. The most common American Joint Committee on Cancer anatomical stage group observed was Stage II with the left breast being involved more than the right. None of the patients had a family history of breast carcinoma. Out of the 12 patients, 10 patients were positive for hormonal receptors, whereas only two patients showed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 amplifications. Conclusion: MBC is a rare disease. Further multi-institutional studies involving a larger number of patients are needed for a better understanding and formulation of gender-specific guidelines for the effective management of MBC.