Molecular biological characteristics of tumors and results of breast cancer treatment in males

BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer is considered a rare condition – less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. 1607 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed by 2019 in Krasnoyarsk region and only 5 cases (0,31%) of the disease were in male patients.

AIM: This study aims to conduct a retrospective analysis of cases of breast cancer treatment in males in the Krasnoyarsk Territory for the period 1998–2019, as well as to assess overall and progression-free survival rates in this category of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 males with diagnosed breast cancer received treatment at the Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary named after A.I. Kryzhanovsky in the period from 1998 to 2019.

RESULTS: Since 2013, an increase in breast cancer in males is noted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Average age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 60.3±10.3 (range – 35 to 83 years). Allocating patients to the clinical stages: 8 patients (28.6%) were diagnosed with stage I of the tumor process, stage II was revealed in 12 (42.9%) patients, stage III was diagnosed in 7 (24.9%) patients and in 1 case (3.6%) cancer was found in situ. Metastatic lesions of the lymph nodes were revealed in 11 patients (39.3%): N1 – 9 patients (81.8%), N2 – 1 patient (9.1%), N3 – 1 patient (9.1%). Luminal A subtype was diagnosed in 3 patients (13.6%), luminal B (HER2-negative) – in 16 patients (72.8%), luminal B (HER2-positive) – in 2 patients (9.1%). 75% of patients received adjuvant therapy. As a result of the treatment, stabilization of the process was registered in 64.3% of cases. 4 patients (14.3%) suffered from recurrence of the disease; 2 patients (7.1%) were diagnosed with multiple primary cancer. For the entire observation period, fatal cases composed 4 (14.3%). Analysis of the overall survival rates for the male patients with breast cancer demonstrated a positive effect of endocrine therapy.

CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in men in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Men have the tumor which is hormone-positive and administration of hormone therapy in the adjuvant mode increases overall survival rates.