Male Breast Cancer: Current Essentials & Review

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer in male is a very rare condition but some of the reported case series had shown that its incidence is increasing over the last 25 years. The etiology of breast cancer in males differs from that of females in many ways. The literature lacks the prospective randomized evidences supporting the treatment of male breast cancer. Only retrospective evidences are available and all guidelines are extrapolated from the best available data of treatment of female breast cancer. Therefore, we have reviewed, compiled and tried to present the best available literature which highlights the treatment of male breast cancer .The reported incidence of breast cancer in men is around 1.2%-2% of all cancers in males and less than 1% of all breast cancers in both sexes. If it involves both breasts then it becomes an extremely uncommon condition which accounts for only 1% of all male breast cancer. Elderly males are most commonly diagnosed with breast cancer and they are approximately 5 to 10 years older than the women. The most common reason of breast cancer in males is excess of estrogen in the body and all conditions which leads to hyperestrogenism are responsible for increasing the risk of cancer.