Clinicopathological study and its prognostic implication in male breast carcinoma

The aim of the present study is to analyse the cases of male breast carcinoma as regards its incidence, family history, clinical presentation, staging, histopathological grade, hormone receptor status and to identify the prognostic significance of the above factors on the final outcome. Seventy-nine cases of male breast carcinoma were treated in the radiotherapy department of Medical College, Kolkata from 1994-2003 (10 years). The hospital data were used to analyse the epidemiological and clinicopathologic parameters as well as the treatment offered and outcome. Incidence of male breast cancer was 0.6% among all male cancer cases and 2.5% among all breast cases. The median age of presentation was 67 years. Lump in the breast was the commonest presenting feature; 90% had advanced disease at presentation. All patients were treated by mastectomy. Majority received radiotherapy (93%) and chemotherapy (81%) as well. Hormone therapy was given to 83% patients. Five-year disease-free survival was 58% for node negative patients and 47% for node positive patients Two most important prognostic factors that affect the survival were nodal status and tumour size. Male breast carcinoma is a rare disease. Median age of presentation is much higher than the female counterpart. The prognosis and survival is similar but the incidence of positive hormone receptor is much more than breast carcinoma of females. In absence of prospective randomised trial retrospective review data from various centres could provide useful guidelines regarding therapy.