Male breast cancer: a 20-year review of 16 cases at Yonsei University.
10.3349/ymj.1990.31.3.242
- Author:
Hyun Cheol CHUNG
1
;
Eun Hee KOH
;
Jae Kyung ROH
;
Jin Sik MIN
;
Kyung Sik LEE
;
Chang Ok SUH
;
Kwi Eon KIM
;
John Jun LOH
;
Ki Byum LEE
;
Byung Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Review
- Keywords:
Male breast cancer;
estrogen receptor;
adjuvant treatment
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma/epidemiology;
Adult;
Aged;
Breast Neoplasms/*epidemiology/pathology/therapy;
Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/*epidemiology/pathology/therapy;
Combined Modality Therapy;
Human;
Korea/epidemiology;
Lymphatic Metastasis;
Male;
Middle Age;
Neoplasms, Multiple Primary;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
1990;31(3):242-250
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Sixteen cases of male breast cancer seen over a 20-year period were reviewed. The causes of cancer of the male breast are no better understood, but major alterations in hormonal environment could be a significant factor. Some clinical characteristics correspond well with the results of other series. The median age at presentation was 61.7 years. The most frequent initial symptom was a painless mass, and the incidences of nipple discharge, central tumor location, and axillary node involvement were high. Males also had a higher incidence of local advancement which was associated with a longer delay in seeking treatment and small breast tissue. The pathologic type was infiltrating ductal type in all cases except one, and all cases showed favorable nuclear grade. Estrogen receptor analysis was performed from the tumor of 2 patients. Both of them showed a high receptor level. There was no locoregional relapse in 5 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy in contrast to the 2 relapses in 3 patients who underwent surgery alone. And three of the five patients who received radiotherapy suffered from systemic metastasis which suggested the important role of adjuvant chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. In light of the encouraging results about adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment for female breast cancer with axillary lymph node involvement, it would be desirable to extend this policy to male breast cancer.
