Male breast cancer diagnosis stages, treatment and survival in Uruguay: a retrospective analysis of a case series

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare condition which, while sharing some similarities with breast cancer in women, has a unique disease profile of its own. To understand the characteristics of MBC and its management in Uruguay. Retrospective observational study that included patients diagnosed with MBC. 22 cases of MBC were found. The median age at diagnosis was 62.5 years. Symptoms included self-detected lump in 17 patients (77.3%) and nipple retraction in seven (22.7%). Ductal carcinomas of histological grade 2–3 were found in 20 patients (90.9%) and stage I–II disease was most commonly encountered (15 patients, 68.1%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy and tamoxifen were offered to 16 (73%), 12 (54.5%), 17 (65.4%) and 20 (90.9%) patients, respectively. MBC behaves and is treated in many aspects like postmenopausal breast cancer. Further multi-institutional, prospective studies are needed for better understanding and management of male breast cancers.