Long-term survival in 406 males with breast cancer

Abstract

Summary Survival was analyzed during a follow-up period of up to 20 years in 406 (97%) of all 420 males in whom breast cancer was diagnosed in Sweden in 1960Sweden in -1978. After correction for the expected mortality in the general population, cumulated survival rates (with 95% confidence limits) of 66 (58.7-72.5)% and 52 (42.0-62.1)% at 5 and 10 years respectively were found. These figures and the general pattern of relative survival rates were in close accordance with those noted in a concomitant series of female breast cancer. There was a trend toward slightly improved survival rates during the period of study and the median survival times were 3.9, 4.8 and 7.2 years for patients diagnosed in 1960-64, 1965-69 and 1970-74 respectively. Age at diagnosis was seemingly unrelated to the long-term relative survival. We conclude that, except for a slightly higher mean age at diagnosis in males, there is a striking similarity in the natural history of breast cancer between men and women after initial treatment, with an excess death rate which still persists at long-term observation.

DNA Content and S-Phase Fraction in Male Breast Carcinomas

“…These findings are in agreement with results previously reported (4,5,18,19). In a recently published large multicentre study it was noted that the prognosis was favourable for most patients with limited male breast carcinoma, including cases with skin involvement, if the skin was not ulcerated ( 18).…”

“…Previously, males with breast carcinoma have been reported to have a less favourable prognosis than females (2, 3). However, recently published studies have shown considerable similarities between female and male breast carcinoma regarding prognostic factors and clinical outcome (4,5).…”

Radiotherapy of Male Breast Cancer

“…Though the impact of hormonal dysfunction remains controversial [3,4] it is noteworthy that in this small series one man suffered from two such rare diseases as breast cancer and Klinefelter syndrome. The results of this series are within the well-known range of 5-year and 10-year survival rates of 50-87% and 30% respectively and of relative or disease-specific 5-year and 10-year survival rates of 65-75% and 42-52%, respectively observed by other authors [5][6][7][8]. Like in female breast cancer the most important prognostic factors are tumor size and lymph node status both of which are strongly correlated: N+ in 25% of patients with T1 tumor versus 60% in patients with T4 tumors [7].…”

“…Relative 5-year survival rate of node-negative patients amounted to favorable 80-85% as opposed to 30% of nodepositive patients [6,[9][10][11]. When allowing for the major prognostic factors, the outcomes of female and male breast carcinoma seem to be comparable [5,6,12]. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment.…”

Mammakarzinom beim Mann – Eine retrospektive Analyse von 15 Fällen

“…Der Seltenheit des Krank heitsbilds entsprechend verfügen selbst große, onkologisch ausgerichtete Zentren nur über geringe Eigenerfahrungen. Immerhin wurden in den letzten Jahren zunehmend über Ergebnisse mit respektablen Fallzahlen berichtet [3][4][5][6]. Dabei finden sich auf das entsprechende Tumorstadium bezogene Überlebensraten, Rczidivmuster sowie Prognosefaktoren wie beim Mammakarzinom des weiblichen Geschlechts.…”