[Cancer of the breast in males]

Between 1982 and 1990, 1027 women and 13 men were operated upon for cancer of the breast. Analysis failed to show any difference with sex for age, localization or symptomatology. Distribution by stage, as defined by the U.I.C.C., showed a higher incidence of stage III in the men and of stage II in the women. Treatment consisted of a modified Patey type radical mastectomy in the men, a more limited intervention being applied in 20% of the women. After a mean follow up of 62 months, none of the men had died of their breast cancer. The recurrence rate was 16%. Results in this series and in those reported in the literature emphasize the decisive prognostic value of primary surgical treatment. Complementary hormone therapy with tamoxifen is particularly indicated, since 90% of the patients had positive estrogen hormone receptors.