Male Breast Cancer—an Indian Multicenter Series of 106 Cases

Male breast cancer (MBC) accounts for < 1% of all breast cancers. The available data on male breast cancer is mainly retrospective institution-based studies. Due to the scarcity of the disease, randomized controlled trials have not been feasible. Conducting a multicenter study is the next best option to assess the effectiveness of the treatment which is currently followed as per the guidelines on female breast cancer (FBC). Under the aegis of Delhi Breast Oncology Group (DBOG), data of 106 MBC patients was collected from 11 leading hospitals of Delhi and analyzed from January 2010 to April 2017. The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 82 years with a median of 59 years. The commonest presentation was a lump in the breast (98%). There was a delay in presentation of 1–6 months in the majority (86%) of cases. of the total number of patients, 51% had Stage II, 25% Stage III, 18% Stage I, 4% Stage 0, and 2% Stage IV breast cancer at the time of presentation. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the commonest histopathological finding. IHC receptor studies revealed ER positivity in 81% and PR positivity in 76%. HER2 neu positivity was seen in 25% of cases. Modified radical mastectomy was the commonest (92%) surgical procedure. Of the total number of cases, 18% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 35% received adjuvant chemotherapy, 32% underwent radiotherapy, and 74% received hormonal therapy. The 5-year cumulative disease-free survival was 60.7%. MBC is rare and unique. There are differences from FBC with respect to time of presentation, aggressiveness, histopathology, IHC markers, and response to treatment with a poorer outcome. Multicentric prospective studies are recommended for future research.