Male breast cancer

Characterization of Korean Male Breast Cancer Using an Online Nationwide Breast-Cancer Database: Matched-Pair Analysis of Patients With Female Breast Cancer

The aim of this study is to review the characteristics and the survival rate in male breast cancer (MBC) patients in Korea over a 31-year period. Additionally, we analyzed the overall survival (OS) rate of a group of MBC matched to females with breast cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the data from 400 Korean patients who were treated for MBC from 1978 to 2009. Patient demographics and clinical information were routinely documented throughout the study period. Survival and prognostic factors were evaluated. Each MBC patient was matched with 5 female breast cancer (FBC) patients based on 7 characteristics and we compared the OS rates between the 2 groups. For MBC cases, the median follow-up was 72 months and the 5-year OS rate was 85.9%. In univariate analyses, the prognostic factors influencing OS were age (more than 60 years, P <0.001), tumor size (>2 cm, P = 0.007), and having a negative progesterone receptor (PR) status (P = 0.042). Only the age (P = 0.028) and tumor size (P = 0.024) were significant prognostic factors for OS in multivariate analysis. After matching, we had 260 male patients matched to 1300 female patients for analysis. Compared with cases among females, the rate of mastectomy was higher among MBC cases and tumors, which were almost invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs), were more likely to be located in the central part of the breast. For MBC cases, the percentage of adjuvant radiation therapy was low compared with female cases. The primary hormone therapy agent used was tamoxifen. The 5-year OS rates were similar in MBC compared with FBC (91.0% vs. 92.6%, P = 0.300). We found that only the age (more than 60 years) and tumor size were independent prognostic factors of survival in MBC. The prognosis for MBC is similar to that for FBC given similar stage and hormone-receptor status.

[Breast cancer in Cameroon, histo-epidemiological profile: about 3044 cases]

Décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques et histo-pathologiques des tumeurs malignes du sein au Cameroun. Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective descriptive portant sur les tumeurs malignes du sein, colligées, dans les registres des différents laboratoires d'Anatomie Pathologique publiques et privés repartis dans cinq régions (centre, littoral, Ouest, Nord-ouest, Sud-ouest), pendant une période de 10 ans (2004-2013). Les paramètres étudiés étaient la fréquence, l’âge, le sexe, la localisation, le type et le grade histologique, et les récepteurs hormonaux. Un total de 3044 cas de cancers du sein a été recensé, soit une fréquence annuelle de 304,4 cas en moyenne. Le sexe féminin était le plus représenté avec 2971 cas (97,60%) et les hommes avec 73 cas (2,40%), soit un sexe ratio (H/F) de 0,02. L’âge moyen des patients était de 46±15,87 ans, avec des extrêmes de 13 et 95 ans. Selon la localisation, le sein gauche était atteint dans 1244 cas (52%) et le sein droit dans 1115 cas (47%). Au plan histologique, on retrouvait essentiellement des carcinomes avec 96,50% des cas, des sarcomes 1,39%, des lymphomes 1,07% et la maladie de Paget du mamelon, 1,03%. Les tumeurs épithéliales étaient infiltrantes dans 2049 cas (84,46%), avec une prédominance du carcinome canalaire infiltrant (1870 cas) et non infiltrantes dans 377 cas (15,54%). Le grade histo-pronostic de SBR avait révélé une prédominance du grade II dans 66% des cas. Les cancers du sein restent une pathologie fréquente au Cameroun et atteignent principalement la population féminine en âge de procréer. Ils sont caractérisés par la prédominance du carcinome canalaire infiltrant.

Obesity and male breast cancer: provocative parallels?

While rare compared to female breast cancer the incidence of male breast cancer (MBC) has increased in the last few decades. Without comprehensive epidemiological studies, the explanation for the increased incidence of MBC can only be speculated. Nevertheless, one of the most worrying global public health issues is the exponential rise in the number of overweight and obese people, especially in the developed world. Although obesity is not considered an established risk factor for MBC, studies have shown increased incidence among obese individuals. With this observation in mind, this article highlights the correlation between the increased incidence of MBC and the current trends in obesity as a growing problem in the 21(st) century, including how this may impact treatment. With MBC becoming more prominent we put forward the notion that, not only is obesity a risk factor for MBC, but that increasing obesity trends are a contributing factor to its increased incidence.

Angiogenesis in male breast cancer

Background

Male breast cancer is a rare but aggressive and devastating disease. This disease presents at a later stage and in a more advanced fashion than its female counterpart. The immunophenotype also appears to be distinct when compared to female breast cancer. Angiogenesis plays a permissive role in the development of a solid tumor and provides an avenue for nutrient exchange and waste removal. Recent scrutiny of angiogenesis in female breast cancer has shown it to be of significant prognostic value. It was hypothesized that this holds true in invasive ductal carcinoma of the male breast. In the context of male breast cancer, we investigated the relationship of survival and other clinico-pathological variables to the microvascular density of the tumor tissue.

Methods

Seventy-five cases of primary male breast cancer were identified using the records of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency over a period of 26 years. Forty-seven cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the male breast had formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks that were suitable for this study. All cases were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the angiogenic markers (cluster designations 31 (CD31), 34 (CD34) and 105 (CD105), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). Microvascular density (MVD) was determined using average, centre, and highest microvessel counts (AMC, CMC, and HMC, respectively). Statistical analyses compared differences in the distribution of survival times and times to relapse between levels of MVD, tumor size, node status and age at diagnosis. In addition, MVD values were compared within each marker, between each marker, and were also compared to clinico-pathological data.

Results

Advanced age and tumor size were related to shorter survival times. There were no statistically significant differences in distributions of survival times and times to relapse between levels of MVD variables. There was no significant difference in MVD between levels of the different clinico-pathological variables. MVD was strongly and significantly correlated between AMC, CMC and HMC for CD31, CD34, and CD105 (p < 0.01) and remained moderate to weak for VWF and VEGF.

Conclusion

Microvascular density does not appear to be an independent prognostic factor in male breast cancer. However, the likelihood of death for men with breast cancer is increased in the presence of increased age at diagnosis and advanced tumor size. This is perhaps linked to inherent tumor vasculature, which is strongly related throughout a tumor section.

[Male breast cancer: 19 case reports]

Breast cancer is rarely encountered in men. In developed countries, it accounts for less than 1% of cancers in men, whereas in women it represents about 23% of all cancers. A retrospective review was performed on 19 cases of men who underwent surgery for breast carcinoma between 1989 and 2000. The aim of this work was to analyse epidemiological and etiological aspects, circumstances of discovery, pathological characteristics, therapy modalities as well as prognostic factors. The mean age was 65.3 years. A high incidence of overweight, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was found. The most frequent clinical presentation was a firm subareolar lump, at a low stage (stage I 23% and stage II 41%). The most common pathological type was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (89%). Hormone receptors where most often positive (92% for oestrogen and 100% for progesterone receptors). 84% of patients underwent simple mastectomy and axillary dissection, 74% chest wall irradiation after surgery, 26% received chemotherapy and 42% hormonal therapy. Median follow-up was 52 months. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was respectively 93% and 87.5% and the 5-year OS and DFS respectively 86% and 75%. The management of male and female breast carcinoma is identical, as well as their prognosis at equal stages. However male breast carcinoma is more often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, thus a breast screening in men would permit a sooner diagnosis and a better prognosis.

Male inflammatory breast cancer

A case of a 48-year-old male with an inflammatory breast cancer is used to illustrate this uncommon malignancy. The physical examination of thickening and erythema made the clinical diagnosis. Mammographic findings of increased density in the right breast with coarsened stroma and an underlying mass confirmed the clinical findings. The sonographic evaluation revealed a 2-cm ill-defined hypoechoic mass. The pathologic examination of the mastectomy specimen showed an infiltrating duct cell carcinoma with lobular features. Male breast cancer afflicts 1500 men each year. Clinically it must be differentiated from gynecomastia, a much more common and benign condition.

BRCA2 germ-line mutations in Spanish male breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Mutations in the BRCA2 gene account for the majority of the families with male and female breast cancer cases, and a number of BRCA2 mutations have been reported in males with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to characterise BRCA2 germ-line mutations in Spanish male breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We screened DNA from 11 affected men and 6 women with breast cancer (BC) who had an affected male relative (father or brother). Exons 2-9 and 12-27 were screened by SSCP, and exons 10 and 11 were screened by PTT. PCR products with a variant band were sequenced.

RESULTS

Three BRCA2 frameshift mutations were identified (17.6%): the 3374delA in codon 1049 (exon 11), 6857delAA in codon 2010 (exon 11), and 9254delATCAT in codon 3009 (exon 23). These mutations were present in patients with affected first-degree relatives (3 of 9, 33%). The proportion of male patients with a family history of BC in at least one first-degree relative was 53%.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an association between BRCA2 mutations and male breast cancer, especially in those with a family history of BC. The high prevalence of BRCA2 mutations among males should be considered when estimating risk for female relatives. All new male cases of BC should be regarded as being possibly inherited and should be fully investigated.

Stages at presentation, prognostic factors, and outcome of breast cancer in males

BACKGROUND

In order to support or refute conventional notions of breast cancer in males as a late-presenting disease associated with a worse prognosis than the same disease in females, we reviewed a recent, multi-institutional experience.

METHODS

A case series from three area hospital system cancer data bases was reviewed. Demographics, pathology, stages at presentation, and treatment were determined from the data set and correlated with outcomes (recurrence/survival).

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (mean age 64.5, SD = 12.8) were identified; half of the tumors were stage T0 or T1, 62% were node negative (N0), and 57% had an American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage grouping of IIA or less. Eighty-five percent of tumors examined expressed hormone receptors. There were no local-only recurrences in the 50 cases resected for cure, including 5 cases of minimal breast cancer treated by lumpectomy only. Five- and 10-year overall disease-free survival was AJCC stage related: 100% and 71%, respectively, for early stage (0-IIA) disease, and 71% and 20%, respectively, for advanced (IIB-IV) stage (P = 0.0051 by log-rank). Only AJCC stage and its components (tumor size, nodal status, presence of metastases) correlated with survival by multivariate analysis; other factors such as age, family history, and presenting symptoms/signs did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of breast cancers in males present at early stages and are hormone receptor positive. In contrast to older notions of this disease as uniformly aggressive, we conclude that prognostic factors and stage-for-stage outcomes for breast cancer in males are similar to those published for the disease in females.

Accurate and cost-effective evaluation of breast masses in males

BACKGROUND

Because the majority of breast masses in males are benign and need not be excised if asymptomatic, we studied the combination of physical examination (PE) and fine needle aspiration (FNA), with or without mammography, as a diagnostic alternative to routine surgical biopsy of these lesions.

METHODS

A diagnostic test study and cost-effectiveness analysis was performed in three participating multidisciplinary breast clinics, involving a consecutive sample of 51 males with unilateral breast masses. Each lesion was tested with both PE and FNA; 13 were also studied with mammography, and each test was scored as benign or suspicious. Lesions for which all tests were benign were followed up clinically (mean 19 months). Lesions for which any test was suspicious were excised.

RESULTS

All tests were benign in 38 cases. No cancers developed at the index sites during follow-up of these lesions, including 8 excisional biopsies done for symptoms (negative predictive value and specificity 100%). Open biopsy confirmed malignancy in all 6 cases for which all tests were suspicious (positive predictive value and sensitivity 100%). In all 7 cases where the tests were not in agreement, open biopsy was benign. In these cases FNA (2 false positives) proved more accurate than PE (5 false positives). Mammography added no additional diagnostic information to the combination of PE and FNA. Compared with routine open biopsy, the combination of PE and FNA avoided surgical biopsy in 30 of the 51 lesions, and was associated with an average decrease in charges of up to $510 per case.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of PE and FNA for the evaluation of breast masses in males is diagnostically accurate and results in a reduction in patient charges compared with routine open biopsy.