19. MALE BREAST CANCER: AETIOLOGY, GENETICS AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Despite a wealth of small retrospective studies on MBC, its rarity means there is a lack of prospective randomised controlled treatment trials, which needs to be addressed if significant advances are to be made in the treatment of this unusual and challenging disease.

Abstract

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease with an older average age of presentation than in women. Predisposing factors include increased exposure to oestrogen and being a carrier of a BRCA2 mutation. Most MBC is ductal and the majority are oestrogen receptor positive. Modified radical mastectomy is the treatment of choice for local disease and adjuvant radio-, hormonal and chemotherapy should all be considered. Stage for stage, the prognosis for MBC is similar to that for female breast cancer. Despite a wealth of small retrospective studies on MBC, its rarity means there is a lack of prospective randomised controlled treatment trials, which needs to be addressed if significant advances are to be made in the treatment of this unusual and challenging disease.