Familial male breast carcinoma

Breast cancer in men is a rare disease, accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancers. In a recent review of the literature, only 12 reports of breast cancer in related men have been recorded. A case of familial breast cancer is reported involving two men and two women. The role of hereditary factors and associated etiologic factors in male breast cancer are reviewed. The overall prognosis of male patients with breast cancer is poor compared with female patients with breast cancer, possibly related to a delay in diagnosis and difference in regional spread of the tumor. Increased surveillance of families with a history of male breast cancer and the presence of associated etiologic factors appears advisable.