Male breast carcinoma: radiotherapy contributed to favorable local control in two cases and related literature review

Abstract

Male breast carcinoma (MBC) is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Due to its paucity, our knowledge of MBC only rely on small or single-institutional studies and sporadic cases. The current guidelines for MBC are extrapolated from its female counterparts Rudlowski (Breast Care (Basel) 3(3):183–189, 2008). Nowadays, MBC is actively studied and viewed as a potentially different entity on the aspects of etiology, biological behavior and prognosis. Thus, special treatment strategy guidelines should be established for MBC. Additionally, advance in the systemic chemotherapy and hormonal therapy also contribute to the local control. The indication of radiotherapy need to be clarified and over-treatment should be avoided. Here we present two cases of MBC in which radiotherapy help to sustain a satisfactory disease free survival. Our cases will provide valuable experience for identifying the role of radiotherapy in MBC.

Male Breast Cancer: A Rare Entity

“…3,11 Compared to FBCs, MBCs present with lower histologic grade and increased oestrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positivity. 6 However, these ancillary investigations were not done in any of our cases. Male breast carcinoma is a rare entity occurring in older men, and is associated with many risk factors different from, and overlapping with female breast carcinoma.…”

“…Male breast carcinoma is a malignancy occurring in older males, and has a rare incidence. 6 With the advancement of early diagnosis and treatment protocols, incidence of female breast cancer is declining. In contrast, cases of MBC are increasing steadily and the improvement of clinical outcome is not promising as in female breast carcinoma (FBC).…”

“…Nowadays, studies have pointed out male breast carcinomas as a different biological entity with differences in etiology, biological behaviour and prognosis, compared to female breast carcinomas. 6 Based on immune histochemical expression profiles, male breast carcinomas can be classified into following molecular subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, Triple Negative and Basal Like (Unclassified). 3,11 Compared to FBCs, MBCs present with lower histologic grade and increased oestrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positivity.…”

“…5 Compared to the female breast carcinoma, male breast carcinoma presents with a more advanced disease with around half of the patients presenting with axillary lymph node metastasis at first visit, and tumor size of >2.0cm. 6 We present three cases of MBC with their demography and management.…”