Carcinoma of the male breast in Tanzania

This is a retrospective study of male mammary carcinoma in Tanzania based on biopsy material received from 1974 to 1987 at the Tanzania Cancer Registry. In a series of 1104 cases of breast cancer, 76 or 6.5% were male. This compares with approximately 1% in Western literature, and a similar or higher percentage in some other African countries. In Africa, medical facilities are limited, and appropriate surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are difficult to procure. By the time cases reach the main hospitals, the cancer is often in a very advanced stage. Thus, there is a need to ensure early referral of cases. Further, for disseminated carcinoma, the more frequent use of orchidectomy should be considered. Orchidectomy is a simple and potentially effective procedure that can be undertaken at any hospital.