Male breast cancer: experience from a quaternary hospital in Tanzania

male breast cancer (MBC) is rare, but its incidence is increasing globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, breast cancer care has primarily focused on women, creating a gap in understanding MBC outcomes. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of MBC patients at Tanzania´s National Hospital.

this retrospective cohort study, conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital, included male patients aged 18 years and above with histologically confirmed breast cancer diagnosed between January 2018 and December 2024. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from treatment records and presented as frequencies, proportions, and means. Survival status, obtained from case notes or patient/next-of-kin interviews, was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

fifty-six MBC patients were identified, with a mean age of 60.6 ± 12.9 years. Most patients (71.1%) had T4 disease, and 26.8% had metastasis, primarily pulmonary (73%). Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 83.9% of cases. The most common molecular subtype was Luminal A (61.8%), followed by triple negative (20%). Nearly all patients (97%) underwent surgery, with modified radical mastectomy and simple mastectomy performed in 48% and 45%, respectively. Over 60% of patients treated with curative intent had recurrence within 15 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 11.2%.

advanced disease presentation was common among MBC patients, corresponding to poor overall survival. Additionally, early disease progression was noted among those treated with curative intent. These findings underscore gaps in healthcare-seeking behavior, screening, and referral systems. Addressing these challenges and optimizing treatment protocols are crucial for improving outcomes.