Imaging, histology and hormonal features of five cases of male breast cancer observed in a single year: comparison with the literature

PURPOSE

The authors assessed mammographic and ultrasound (US) features and histological and biological characteristics of male breast carcinomas observed in five men (mean age 57.8 years) in a single year and compared the findings with the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients underwent history taking and bilateral mammography and US examination extended to the axillary region and complemented with colour Doppler US.

RESULTS

Three out of five patients had a family history of breast cancer, and all of them had an altered energy balance (mean body mass index 30.8). All subjects had a palpable mass, which was associated with bloody nipple discharge in two cases. Mammography identified all lesions as opacities with irregular margins (mean size 1.98 cm); in one case, it also revealed a nonpalpable contralateral lesion. US demonstrated the presence of inhomogeneously hypoechoic nodules with irregular margins and centrifugal vascular spots in 4/6 lesions. Histology diagnosed invasive ductal cancer (IDC) in 5/6 lesions (83.3%) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the contralateral lesion only.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of symptoms warrants mammography, which is an accurate method for identifying male breast cancer. The frequency of invasive disease observed in our study was consistent with the literature (80%-90% IDC). The hormonal alterations induced by excess fat in our series appear to be correlated with the development of carcinomas with positive receptor status for both oestrogen and progesterone.

Collagenous spherulosis of the breast. Case report

We report a case of collagenous spherulosis of the breast, a very rare underinvestigated lesion which must not be misinterpreted as a malignant epithelial tumour, such as adenoid cystic or signet-ring cell intraductal carcinoma, on histologic slides. The lesion is typically found in association with benign proliferative breast diseases. Prognosis is excellent.

[Progression of acquired renal cysts in patients undergoing dialysis]

In uremic and dialysed patients, acquired renal cystic disease (ARCD) and its possible neoplastic degeneration are well-known. The aim of the paper is to assess the incidence of this pathology among dialysed patients in our Renal Unit. Final results have been achieved after three years. The evidence is that this pathology increases in older patients with respect to age and/or to long-term dialysis; we confirm neoplastic degeneration in two patients.