BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics,
therapy methods, and prognosis of
male breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics, recurrence or
metastasis, and survival information of 87
male breast cancer patients. Statistical analysis included the Kaplan-Meier method to analyze survivals, log-rank to compare curves between groups, and Cox regression for multivariate prognostic analysis. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 5-year disease free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 66.3 and 77.0%, respectively. Monofactorial analysis showed
tumor size, stage, lymph node involvement, and
adjuvant chemotherapy to be prognostic factors with regard to 5-year DFS and 5-year OS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed
tumor size, stage, and
adjuvant chemotherapy to be independent prognostic factors with regard to 5-year DFS and 5-year OS. CONCLUSION:
Male breast cancer has a lower incidence rate and poor prognosis. Invasive
ductal carcinoma is the main pathologic type. Operation-based combined
therapy is the standard care for these patients.
Tumor size, stage, and
adjuvant chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors. More emphasis should be placed on early diagnosis and
early therapy, and
adjuvant chemotherapy may improve survival.