An unusual case of advanced bilateral male breast cancer

Breast cancer in men is an uncommon disease. Little is known about its etiology, clinical behavior, treatment, and outcome. Retrospective data indicate that stage- and age-matched male and female breast cancer is similar in presentation. The aim is to find an adequate treatment for male breast cancer, which is not just extrapolated from its female counterpart.

We present the history of a 41-year-old man who was diagnosed with pT2 (3 cm) breast cancer in 2001. After mastectomy without axillary dissection, 4 cycles of adjuvant epirubicin and cyclophosphamide and radiation therapy were performed followed by hormonal treatment with tamoxifen until 2003. In 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, there were relapses with skin metastases, treated with several courses of chemotherapy. In 2006, an inflammatory carcinoma in the contralateral breast was revealed during the course of epirubicin chemotherapy. In May 2007, the patient passed away from extensive tumor progression despite numerous attempts of local and systemic chemotherapeutic treatment.

Here, an unusual case of male breast cancer is reported. It was first diagnosed at the age of 41 years, which is relatively young for male breast cancer. Although the treatment was started at an early stage, several relapses and contralateral breast cancer occurred within 5 years and could no be controlled.