Male breast cancer: Insights from a two-center epidemiological analysis.

[OBJECTIVE] This study aims to explore the clinical, histological, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of male breast cancer to enhance its management by analyzing associated risk factors.

[METHODS] We retrospectively identified male patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer from 1997 to 2020 at the gynecology departments of CHRU in Tours and the regional hospital in Orléans. Data including epidemiological characteristics, clinical signs, histological details, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed.

[RESULTS] A total of 80 patients with primary breast cancer were included. The median age at diagnosis was 71 years, with significant risk factors such as family history and BRCA2 mutations identified. Most patients presented with palpable masses, and nearly 44 % showed axillary lymph node involvement. The majority of tumors were infiltrating carcinoma, and hormone receptor positivity was high (90 % ER+, 78.8 % PR+). Surgical treatment primarily involved mastectomy, often combined with axillary lymph node dissection. chemotherapy was administered to nearly half of the patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 80.1 %, with metastases developing in 18.8 % of patients.

[CONCLUSIONS] Male breast cancer remains rare but demonstrates distinct clinical patterns. While management strategies are largely extrapolated from female breast cancer, understanding specific male-associated risk factors and disease characteristics is crucial. Early detection and targeted therapies tailored to male patients may improve outcomes.