Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Medical Oncology 3/2008

01-09-2008 | REVIEW

Understanding and management of male breast cancer: a critical review

Authors: Kartikeya Pant, Udayan Dutta

Published in: Medical Oncology | Issue 3/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

Breast cancer is a rare disease in men representing nearly 1% of the total breast cancer cases worldwide. While treatments developed for women with breast cancer are often applied to treat men with breast cancer, however, lack of awareness of this disease leads to its detection at a later stage in men. This review discusses male breast cancer and draws comparisons with female breast cancer and discusses current treatments available to treat this disease. It is believed that this review shall provide concise and relevant information increasing the awareness of issues revolving around male breast cancer (MBC).
Literature
1.
go back to reference Ravandi-Kashani F, Hayes TG. Male breast cancer: a review of the literature. Eur J Cancer 1998;34:1341–7.PubMedCrossRef Ravandi-Kashani F, Hayes TG. Male breast cancer: a review of the literature. Eur J Cancer 1998;34:1341–7.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Giordano Sharon H, Buzdar Aman U, Hortobagyi Gabriel N. Breast cancer in men. Ann Intern Med 2002;137:678–87.PubMed Giordano Sharon H, Buzdar Aman U, Hortobagyi Gabriel N. Breast cancer in men. Ann Intern Med 2002;137:678–87.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Arnould N, Pouget O, Gharbi M, Brettes JP. Breast cancer in men: are there similarities with breast cancer in women? Gynecol Obstet Fertil 2006;34:413–9.PubMedCrossRef Arnould N, Pouget O, Gharbi M, Brettes JP. Breast cancer in men: are there similarities with breast cancer in women? Gynecol Obstet Fertil 2006;34:413–9.PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Giordano Sharon H. A review of the diagnosis and management of male breast cancer. Oncologist 2005;10:471–9.PubMedCrossRef Giordano Sharon H. A review of the diagnosis and management of male breast cancer. Oncologist 2005;10:471–9.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Iredale R, Brain K, Williams B, France E, Gray J. The experiences of men with breast cancer in the United Kingdom. Eur J Cancer 2006;42:334–41.PubMedCrossRef Iredale R, Brain K, Williams B, France E, Gray J. The experiences of men with breast cancer in the United Kingdom. Eur J Cancer 2006;42:334–41.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Jonasson JG, Agnarsson BA, Thorlacius S, Eyfjord JE, Tulinius H. Male breast cancer in Iceland. Int J Cancer 1996;65:446–9.PubMedCrossRef Jonasson JG, Agnarsson BA, Thorlacius S, Eyfjord JE, Tulinius H. Male breast cancer in Iceland. Int J Cancer 1996;65:446–9.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Giordano Sharon H, Cohen Deborah S, Buzdar Aman U, Perkins G, Hortobagyi Gabriel N. Breast carcinoma in men: a population-based study. Cancer 2004;101:51–7.PubMedCrossRef Giordano Sharon H, Cohen Deborah S, Buzdar Aman U, Perkins G, Hortobagyi Gabriel N. Breast carcinoma in men: a population-based study. Cancer 2004;101:51–7.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Joshi MG, Lee AKC, Loda M, et al. Male breast carcinoma: an evaluation of prognostic factors contributing to a poorer outcome. Cancer 1996;77:490–8.PubMedCrossRef Joshi MG, Lee AKC, Loda M, et al. Male breast carcinoma: an evaluation of prognostic factors contributing to a poorer outcome. Cancer 1996;77:490–8.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Stratton MR, Ford D, Neuhasen S, et al. Familial male breast cancer is not linked to the BRCA1 locus on chromosome 17q. Nat Genet 1994;7:103–7.PubMedCrossRef Stratton MR, Ford D, Neuhasen S, et al. Familial male breast cancer is not linked to the BRCA1 locus on chromosome 17q. Nat Genet 1994;7:103–7.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Karhu R, Laurila E, Kallioniemi A, Syrjakoski K. Large genomic BRCA2 rearrangements and male breast cancer. Cancer Detect Prev 2006;30:530–4.PubMedCrossRef Karhu R, Laurila E, Kallioniemi A, Syrjakoski K. Large genomic BRCA2 rearrangements and male breast cancer. Cancer Detect Prev 2006;30:530–4.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Thompson D, Easton D. Variation in cancer risks, by mutation position, in BRCA2 mutation carriers. Am J Hum Genet 2001;68:410–9.PubMedCrossRef Thompson D, Easton D. Variation in cancer risks, by mutation position, in BRCA2 mutation carriers. Am J Hum Genet 2001;68:410–9.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Chakrabarti J, Rampaul RS, Guevara C, et al. The pathology of male breast cancer. Int J Cancer Prev 2005;2:213–23. Chakrabarti J, Rampaul RS, Guevara C, et al. The pathology of male breast cancer. Int J Cancer Prev 2005;2:213–23.
13.
go back to reference Gann PH, Geiger AS, Helenowski IB, Vonesh EF, Chatterton RT. Estrogen and progesterone levels in nipple aspirate fluid of healthy premenopausal women: relationship to steroid precursors and response proteins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:39–44.PubMedCrossRef Gann PH, Geiger AS, Helenowski IB, Vonesh EF, Chatterton RT. Estrogen and progesterone levels in nipple aspirate fluid of healthy premenopausal women: relationship to steroid precursors and response proteins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:39–44.PubMedCrossRef
14.
15.
go back to reference Simpson E, Rubin G, Clyne C, et al. Local estrogen biosynthesis in males and females. Endocr Relat Cancer 1999;6:131–7.PubMedCrossRef Simpson E, Rubin G, Clyne C, et al. Local estrogen biosynthesis in males and females. Endocr Relat Cancer 1999;6:131–7.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Shozu M, Simpson ER. Aromatase expression of human osteoblast-like cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1998;139:117–29.PubMedCrossRef Shozu M, Simpson ER. Aromatase expression of human osteoblast-like cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1998;139:117–29.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Shozu M, Zhao Y, Simpson ER. Estrogen biosynthesis in THP1 cells is regulated by promoter switching of the aromatase (CYP19) gene. Endocrinology 1997;138:5125–35.PubMedCrossRef Shozu M, Zhao Y, Simpson ER. Estrogen biosynthesis in THP1 cells is regulated by promoter switching of the aromatase (CYP19) gene. Endocrinology 1997;138:5125–35.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Simpson ER, Zhao Y, Agarwal VR, et al. Aromatase expression in health and disease. Recent Prog Horm Res 1997;52:185–213;discussion 213–4.PubMed Simpson ER, Zhao Y, Agarwal VR, et al. Aromatase expression in health and disease. Recent Prog Horm Res 1997;52:185–213;discussion 213–4.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Agarwal VR, Ashanullah CI, Simpson ER, Bulun SE. Alternatively spliced transcripts of the aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) gene in adipose tissue of women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997;82:70–4.PubMedCrossRef Agarwal VR, Ashanullah CI, Simpson ER, Bulun SE. Alternatively spliced transcripts of the aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) gene in adipose tissue of women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997;82:70–4.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Zhao Y, Agarwal VR, Mendelson CR, Simpson ER. Estrogen biosynthesis proximal to a breast tumor is stimulated by PGE2 via cyclic AMP, leading to activation of promoter II of the CYP19 (aromatase) gene. Endocrinology 1996;137:5739–42.PubMedCrossRef Zhao Y, Agarwal VR, Mendelson CR, Simpson ER. Estrogen biosynthesis proximal to a breast tumor is stimulated by PGE2 via cyclic AMP, leading to activation of promoter II of the CYP19 (aromatase) gene. Endocrinology 1996;137:5739–42.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Tsai-Morris CH, Aquilano DR, Dufau ML. Cellular localization of rat testicular aromatase activity during development. Endocrinology 1985;116:38–46.PubMedCrossRef Tsai-Morris CH, Aquilano DR, Dufau ML. Cellular localization of rat testicular aromatase activity during development. Endocrinology 1985;116:38–46.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Nitta H, Bunick D, Hess RA, et al. Germ cells of the mouse testis express P450 aromatase. Endocrinology 1993;132:1396–401.PubMedCrossRef Nitta H, Bunick D, Hess RA, et al. Germ cells of the mouse testis express P450 aromatase. Endocrinology 1993;132:1396–401.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Hemsell DL, Grodin JM, Brenner PF, Siiteri PK, MacDonald PC. Plasma precursors of estrogen II. Correlation of the extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone with age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974;38:476–9.PubMed Hemsell DL, Grodin JM, Brenner PF, Siiteri PK, MacDonald PC. Plasma precursors of estrogen II. Correlation of the extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone with age. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974;38:476–9.PubMed
24.
go back to reference de Jong PC, van de Ven J, Nortier HW, et al. Inhibition of breast cancer tissue aromatase activity and estrogen concentrations by the third-generation aromatase inhibitor vorozole. Cancer Res 1997;57:2109–11.PubMed de Jong PC, van de Ven J, Nortier HW, et al. Inhibition of breast cancer tissue aromatase activity and estrogen concentrations by the third-generation aromatase inhibitor vorozole. Cancer Res 1997;57:2109–11.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Goss PE, Reid C, Pintilie M, Lim R, Miller N. Male breast carcinoma: a review of 229 patients who presented to the Princess Margaret Hospital during 40 years: 1955–1996. Cancer 1999;85:629–39.PubMedCrossRef Goss PE, Reid C, Pintilie M, Lim R, Miller N. Male breast carcinoma: a review of 229 patients who presented to the Princess Margaret Hospital during 40 years: 1955–1996. Cancer 1999;85:629–39.PubMedCrossRef
26.
27.
go back to reference Cutuli B, Lacroze M, Dilhuydy JM, et al. Male breast cancer: results of the treatments and prognostic factors in 397 cases. Eur J Cancer 1995;31A:1960–4.PubMedCrossRef Cutuli B, Lacroze M, Dilhuydy JM, et al. Male breast cancer: results of the treatments and prognostic factors in 397 cases. Eur J Cancer 1995;31A:1960–4.PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Gennari R, Curigliano G, Jereczek-Fossa Barbara A, et al. Male breast cancer: a special therapeutic problem. Anything new? Int J Oncol 2004;24:663–70.PubMed Gennari R, Curigliano G, Jereczek-Fossa Barbara A, et al. Male breast cancer: a special therapeutic problem. Anything new? Int J Oncol 2004;24:663–70.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Ben Dhiab T, Bouzid T, Gamoudi A, et al. Male breast cancer: about 123 cases collected at the Institute Salah-Azaiz of Tunis from 1979 to 1999. Bull Cancer 2005;92:281–5.PubMed Ben Dhiab T, Bouzid T, Gamoudi A, et al. Male breast cancer: about 123 cases collected at the Institute Salah-Azaiz of Tunis from 1979 to 1999. Bull Cancer 2005;92:281–5.PubMed
30.
go back to reference Agrawal A, Ayantunde AA, Rampaul R, Robertson JFR. Male breast cancer: a review of clinical management. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007;103:11–21.PubMedCrossRef Agrawal A, Ayantunde AA, Rampaul R, Robertson JFR. Male breast cancer: a review of clinical management. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007;103:11–21.PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Ribiero G. Male breast carcinoma: a review of 301 cases from the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester. Br J Cancer 1985;51:115–9. Ribiero G. Male breast carcinoma: a review of 301 cases from the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester. Br J Cancer 1985;51:115–9.
32.
go back to reference Nahleh ZA. Hormonal therapy for male breast cancer: a different approach for a different disease. Cancer Treat Rev 2006;32:101–5.PubMedCrossRef Nahleh ZA. Hormonal therapy for male breast cancer: a different approach for a different disease. Cancer Treat Rev 2006;32:101–5.PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Turner KJ, Morley M, Atanassova N, Swanston ID, Sharpe RM. Effect of chronic administration of an aromatase inhibitor to adult male rats on pituitary and testicular function and fertility. J Endocrinol 2000;164:225–38.PubMedCrossRef Turner KJ, Morley M, Atanassova N, Swanston ID, Sharpe RM. Effect of chronic administration of an aromatase inhibitor to adult male rats on pituitary and testicular function and fertility. J Endocrinol 2000;164:225–38.PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Giordano Sharon H, Duan Z, Kuo Y-F, Hortobagyi Gabriel N, Goodwin James S. Use and outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:2750–6.PubMedCrossRef Giordano Sharon H, Duan Z, Kuo Y-F, Hortobagyi Gabriel N, Goodwin James S. Use and outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:2750–6.PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Giordano Sharon H, Perkins George H, Broglio K, et al. Adjuvant systemic therapy for male breast carcinoma. Cancer 2005;104:2359–64.PubMedCrossRef Giordano Sharon H, Perkins George H, Broglio K, et al. Adjuvant systemic therapy for male breast carcinoma. Cancer 2005;104:2359–64.PubMedCrossRef
37.
38.
go back to reference Bagley CS, Wesley MN, Young RC, Lippman ME. Adjuvant chemotherapy in males with cancer of the breast. Am J Clin Oncol 1987;10:55–60.PubMedCrossRef Bagley CS, Wesley MN, Young RC, Lippman ME. Adjuvant chemotherapy in males with cancer of the breast. Am J Clin Oncol 1987;10:55–60.PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Patel HZ II, Buzdar AU, Hortobagyi GN. Role of adjuvant chemotherapy in male breast cancer. Cancer 1989;64:1583–5.PubMedCrossRef Patel HZ II, Buzdar AU, Hortobagyi GN. Role of adjuvant chemotherapy in male breast cancer. Cancer 1989;64:1583–5.PubMedCrossRef
40.
go back to reference Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group. Effects of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomized trials. Lancet 2005;365:1687–717.CrossRef Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group. Effects of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomized trials. Lancet 2005;365:1687–717.CrossRef
41.
go back to reference Kiss A, Meryn S. Effect of sex and gender on psychosocial aspects of prostate and breast cancer. BMJ 2001;323:1055–8.PubMedCrossRef Kiss A, Meryn S. Effect of sex and gender on psychosocial aspects of prostate and breast cancer. BMJ 2001;323:1055–8.PubMedCrossRef
42.
go back to reference Moynihan C. Theories in health care and research: theories of masculinity. BMJ 1998;317:1072–5.PubMed Moynihan C. Theories in health care and research: theories of masculinity. BMJ 1998;317:1072–5.PubMed
43.
go back to reference Lee C, Owens RG. Issues for psychology of men’s health. J Health Psychol 2002;7:209–17.CrossRef Lee C, Owens RG. Issues for psychology of men’s health. J Health Psychol 2002;7:209–17.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Understanding and management of male breast cancer: a critical review
Authors
Kartikeya Pant
Udayan Dutta
Publication date
01-09-2008
Publisher
Humana Press Inc
Published in
Medical Oncology / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 1357-0560
Electronic ISSN: 1559-131X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-007-9034-y

Other articles of this Issue 3/2008

Medical Oncology 3/2008 Go to the issue
Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin
Prof. Florian Limbourg
Prof. Anoop Chauhan
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.