Male breast cancer diagnosis stages, treatment and survival in Uruguay: A retrospective analysis of a case series

Abstract

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare condition which, while sharing some similarities with breast cancer in women, has a unique disease profile of its own. Aim: To understand the characteristics of MBC and its management in Uruguay. Patients & methods: Retrospective observational study that included patients diagnosed with MBC. Results: 22 cases of MBC were found. The median age at diagnosis was 62.5 years. Symptoms included self-detected lump in 17 patients (77.3%) and nipple retraction in seven (22.7%). Ductal carcinomas of histological grade 2-3 were found in 20 patients (90.9%) and stage I-II disease was most commonly encountered (15 patients, 68.1%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy and tamoxifen were offered to 16 (73%), 12 (54.5%), 17 (65.4%) and 20 (90.9%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: MBC behaves and is treated in many aspects like postmenopausal breast cancer. Further multi-institutional, prospective studies are needed for better understanding and management of male breast cancers.