Patterns of Male Breast Cancer over Three Decades: A Single Institutional Findings

Abstract

Introduction: Male breast cancer (MBC) accounts for around 1% of all breast cancers. However, the incidence & patterns of MBC varies in different parts of the world. Due to the rarity of its occurrence, very few literature are available regarding its peculiarities.
 Material & Methods: A total of 119 patients of MBC were included in this retrospective analysis, who were registered in a single regional cancer center in India over 30 years period from 1991 to 2020. Data from all patients were collected to evaluate the spectrum and patterns of MBC concerning presentation, distribution, and clinicopathological characteristics.
 Results: Total of 119-patients of MBC were registered in this time. The median age of presentation was 59 years. The right to left ratio was 1.25:1, which indicated that both sides breast was equally affected. Most of the patients (68.1%) presented late in the disease course with locally advanced or metastatic lesions. The majority of breast lesion was central or retro-areolar in location and infiltrating ductal carcinoma histology was found in more than 90% of patients. Estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity was seen in 42.9% and 29.4% of patients, respectively. The most common metastatic site was bone.
 Conclusion: Our data regarding MBC patients matched closely with existing literature. However, it is seen MBC patients presented to oncologists in a locally advanced stages; either because of shyness or unaddressed health education. Emphasis should be given to prospective studies to gather more knowledge about the demography and pattern of this rare yet sprouting malignancy