Male Breast Cancer: Treatment Trends, Reported Outcomes, and Suggested Recommendations

Abstract

Male breast cancer (MBC) is unfamiliar to most men, and its optimal treatment options are not well recognized by many treating physicians. The lack of MBC specific clinical trials contributes to the limitations of understanding MBC specific pathology, treatment options, and outcomes. This state-of-affairs contribute to perpetuating the use of treatment methods derived from our existing knowledge of female breast cancer (FBC). Previous studies demonstrate that men are often undertreated or disproportionately treated using more invasive surgical procedures even in the early stages of MBC. The purpose of this investigation was to thoroughly discuss current MBC treatment options, provide an evidence-based summary of their outcomes, note recent improvements, discuss important considerations and recommendations. Our goal is to aid the treatment decision process for patients and treating physicians.

Keywords: breast conservative therapy; male breast cancer; mastectomy; sentinel lymph node biopsy; surgical procedures; treatment outcomes; treatment recommendations.