The treatment of cancer, especially inoperable cancer, of the male breast by ablative surgey (orchiectomy, adrenalectomy, and hypophysectomy) and hormone therapy (estrogens and corticosteroids).An analysis of 42 patients

The sex hormone profile of male patients with breast cancer

“…We have demonstrated cytoplasmic oestrogen receptors (REc) in 16/17 (94%) male breast cancers, 13 of these patients having been discussed previously (Pegoraro et al, 1982), while a survey of the literature revealed that 88/103 (85%) tumours were positive for REC (Everson et al, 1980;Ruff et al, 1981;Pegoraro et al, 1982). In 1942 Farrow and Adair achieved a regression in a patient with inoperable breast cancer, following bilateral orchidectomy and, since then, it has been reported that between 50 and 70% of patients with advanced male breast cancer respond to endocrine ablative surgery or hormonal therapy (Treves, 1959;Neifeld et al, 1976) and, more recently, to tamoxifen (Patterson et al, 1980). The rationale behind this success has become clearer with reports of increased levels of urinary and plasma oestrogens in male patients with breast cancer (Dao et al, 1973;Calabresi et al, 1976).…”

The results of diethylstilboestrol therapy for recurrent and metastatic carcinoma of the male breast

“…Since this series was looked at, 3 more patients have had low-dose stilboestrol, with objective regression of lung metastases in 2 of the 3 patients. Treves (1959) reported on 14 of his patients given various types of oestrogens. He claimed there was no response to stilboestrol, but only 2 patients took the hormone long enough.…”

“…IN VARIOUS reports (Haddow, Watkinson and Paterson, 1944; Treves, 1959;Ogilvie, 1961) published on the treatment of carcinoma of the male breast, opinions differ as to the usefulness of stilboestrol for the treatment of the recurrent and advanced cases. Various types of oestrogens were used and too few patients were treated, to be able to draw any conclusion one way or the other.…”

Male breast cancer: a review

“…The value of ablative endocrine therapy for advanced disease was documented over the next quarter century when orchiectomy (22), adrenalectomy (35), and hypophysectomy (49) were all shown to be effective modes of therapy. Several large series offer insight into the clinical features (47), epidemiology (84,97), pathology (32,33), surgical (13,37,95,96) and hormonal (42,46,63) treatment, and prognostic factors influencing survival (60,78). Reports from many countries attest to the universal presence and similarity of the disease (I, 41, 57, 66, 70, 82).…”

“…More complete survival data on these subcategories of patients and on the non-responders is not available. Insufficient data was available to assess whether or not endocrine ablative therapy has a differential effect on soft tissue, bone or visceral disease but there are zeveral reports of long-term responses of pulmonary/pleural disease (32,63,95). The efficacy of endocrine ablative procedures for male breast cancer compares Favorably wi~h the results of comparable endocrine ablations for breast cancer in females.…”