Aims: Male breast cancer (MBC) is an uncommon disease with a paucity of information in the literature. The treatment of MBC has traditionally been extrapolated from experience with female breast cancer. This study reports on the treatment and outcomes of this disease in South Australia over a 30-year period.
Methods: From 1977 to 2007 63 patients with a median age of 62 years (range 33-85 years) were identified and treated for MBC. Data obtained, included initial stage, pathological features, treatment and outcomes.
Results: With a median follow up of 4.9 years (range 2 months to 19 years) the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 85% with median survival of 5.5 years. In all, 18 (29%) were diagnosed with recurrent disease, while 45 (72%) remained disease free. The median time to recurrence was 2.5 years. One patient failed locally, three (4%) had locoregional recurrence and distant recurrence was noted in 14 patients (22%). Disease stage at presentation was a significant predictor of 5-year OS and recurrence (P = 0.012 and P = 0.0001). Tumor diameter was also a significant predictor of 5-year OS and recurrence (P = 0.006 and P = 0.021).
Conclusion: This retrospective series has a 5-year OS that compares favorably with other published series of MBC. The positive findings may help change the misperception that MBC is an inherently aggressive disease process with a poor clinical outcome. Further studies are needed to carefully and thoroughly investigate this rare but treatable disease.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.