MALE BREAST-CANCER

Breast cancer in men is a rare condition affecting only 1,000 men each year in the United States. Hormonal, genetic, and perhaps environment al factors appear to be important in development of the disease. Clini cally, breast cancer in men resembles that seen in woman. Histological ly the diseases are indistinguishable, although lobular cancer is rare in men. Tumors from men are more likely to be estrogen-receptor posit ive. Treatment strategies draw from experience in women and usually be gin with surgical removal of the tumor. Additional modalities often in clude hormonal, radiation, and cytotoxic therapies. The prognosis corr ected for age and stage is similar to that of women. The study of brea st cancer in men may provide new insights into epidemiologic and patho genic factors that affect both sexes.