Male Breast Cancer: Diagnostic and Prognostic Features in Mali

Abstract

Introduction: Male breast cancer is rare; representing 1% of breast cancers and less than 1% of all male neoplasia worldwide. We here analyzed the clin ical, histological, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of male breast cancer in Bamako, Mali. Patients and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 14 male patients with breast cancer who visited two univer sity hospitals in Bamako (Hospital Gabriel TOURE and Hospital du Point G) in Mali, from January 2005 to December 2018. Results: Male breast cancer represented 0.63% of all breast cancers and 0.23% of all male cancers. The following was observed: the mean age of 53 years (range: 23 - 82); a family history of cancer in 2; breast pain in 9; the average time to consultation of 8 years (6 - 24); gynecomastia found in 1; the tumor palpable in all 14 (size of 5 cm [3 - 10]); ulceration in 5. The most common histological type was non-specific in filtrating carcinoma with 92.8%. SBR II grade was found in 78.5% of cases. Of 8 patients with immunohistochemistry, hormone receptor positive was in 13 a nd Her2 positive was in 5. Metastases were found in 4, 2 pulmonary and 2 he patic. Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 21.4%; radical surgery in 13 c ases; surgery + radiotherapy in 2; surgery + hormonal therapy in 4. After an average follow-up of 36 months, 1 patient developed a lung metastasis and a nother patient had a lymph node recurrence. Conclusion: Male breast cancer was detected at relatively later stages. Physicians must be aware of this condition.