A case report of male breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery

Male breast cancer is a rare disease that accounts for less than 1 % of all breast cancer cases. The most common surgical treatment for male breast cancer is mastectomy, but breast-conserving surgery has been performed increasingly in recent years. This report describes a case of male breast cancer that was treated by breast-conserving surgery.

A 61-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of a painless mass in his left breast. Imaging revealed a well-defined cystic mass, aspiration of which revealed bloody fluid. Cytology was inconclusive, but the findings were suggestive of malignancy. A left lumpectomy was performed for diagnostic purposes. Postoperative pathology revealed invasive ductal carcinoma with a predominant intraductal component. The surgical margins were negative. The patient declined adjuvant hormone therapy and radiotherapy and has been kept under follow-up in the year since surgery. There has been no recurrence during this time.

As in women, the goals of treatment for breast cancer in men are oncological safety and satisfactory cosmetic results. In the absence of specific guidelines for the treatment of male breast cancer, mastectomy is currently the standard treatment. However, in recent years, breast-conserving surgery has been performed for tumors that are discovered early and do not invade the nipple and areola. If curability and safety can be guaranteed, breast-conserving surgery can be considered for male breast cancer.

Breast-conserving surgery can be an effective treatment option in men with breast cancer.