Men with breast cancer have high risk of second cancer

Abstract

Men with breast cancer have a high risk of developing second primary cancers, such as cancers of the stomach, skin, and breast, suggest US researchers (Breast Cancer Res published online Jan 25, 2007; DOI:10.1186/bcr1643). Sacha Satram-Hoang (University of California, Irvine, CA, USA) and team ana lysed data recorded at the California Cancer Registry from 1988 to 2003. They noted that of 1926 men (≤85 years) diagnosed with a primary breast can cer, 221 (11·5%) developed a second primary cancer at least 2 months after the initial diagnosis. Men with primary breast cancer had a signifi cantly higher risk of a second primary cancer than the general population (standardised incidence ratio 1·16; 95% CI 1·01– 1·32). For example, risks were increased for development of second primary breast cancer (52·12; 31·83–80·49), second primary cutaneous melanoma (2·98; 1·63–5·00), and second primary stomach cancer (2·11; 1·01–3·88). “Male breast cancer patients should be carefully monitored for the occur rence of second primary cancers”, recom mends SatramHoang. “Medical interventions to address increased risk of second cancer include increased sur v ei llance, chemoprevention, and pro ph y lactic surgery.” He adds: “The association between the fi rst and second cancer may be due to genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Male tumors related to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in clude [melanoma] and breast, stomach, prostate, colon, and pan creatic cancer”. He adds that other pos sible explanations for the associations include shared hormonal ab normalities, shared lifestyle, and environ mental risk factors. “This study highlights a need to start discussing the merits of routine screening [for] second primary cancers in male populations with breast cancer”, says Rakesh Kumar (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA). It will be important to form a consortium consisting of relevant experts and follow a cohort of patients over a period of time, he comments.