[Male breast cancer in Morocco: Epidemiology and prognostic factors. A report of 140 cases].

OBJECTIVES

Male breast cancer is rare; it constitutes 0.2-1.5 % of all malignant tumors in men and 1 % of all breast cancers.

METHODS

The goal of this retrospective study is to analyze the epidemiologic, clinic, therapeutic and evolutive profiles of this disease in 140 cases collected at the National Institute of Oncology and military hospital in Rabat, Morocco, between the years 1998 and 2007.

RESULTS

The mean age was 61 years. A high incidence of overweight was found. The most frequent clinical presentation was a firm subareolar lump in 83 % of cases. The most common pathological type was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (93 %). Hormone receptors were positive in 86 % of cases. Eighty-five percent of patients underwent simple mastectomy and axillary dissection, 68 % chest wall irradiation after surgery, 54 % received chemotherapy and 82 % hormonal therapy. Median follow-up was 91.1 months. The estimated 5-year and 10-year overall survival was respectively 68 % and 74 %.

CONCLUSION

The management of male and female breast carcinoma is the same, as well as their prognosis at equal stages. Future research for better understanding of this disease are needed to improve the management and prognosis of male patients.