CARCINOMA OF THE MALE BREAST - A REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

Background: Male breast cancer is rare and experience of it in any sin gle institution is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation, management and outcome of male patients with breast canc er treated at Concord Repatriation General Hospital hospital over a 38 -year period and to determine a best-practice protocol based on the re sults and a review of the literature. Methods: A total of 42 patients were retrospectively reviewed, pathology slides were re-examined and r eclassified where necessary. Outcome was assessed and compared with re sults obtained from a literature review. Results, A trend towards less radical surgery has emerged. Overall 5-year survival was 50%, but, du e to the late age at presentation, more than half the deaths were non- breast cancer related. One quarter of the patients presented with loca lly advanced or metastatic disease. Conclusions: The presentation, dia gnosis pathology and outcome of breast cancer an similar in men and wo men, although the disease occurs at a later age in men. Radical surger y is not required in order to gain local control, but knowledge of axi llary node status is important in determining prognosis and the need f or adjuvant therapy.