[Clinical relevance of mammography in men]

Abstract

Purpose: During a period of four years 104 mammograms were performed in 89 men. Mastectomies were carried out on 23 men (group 1). 66 patients (group 2) were followed up clinically and in 15 patients serial mammograms were obtained.

Material and method: In group 1 there were 5 patients with bilateral gynaecomastia, 9 with unilateral gynaecomastia and two with pseudogynaecomastia and there were 7 patients with malignancies. In group 2 there were 46 patients with bilateral gynaecomastia and 10 patients with unilateral gynaecomastia. Pseudogynaecomastia was found in 25 patients. There were 7 malignancies, of which 5 had been suspected clinically and one had been diagnosed as gynaecomastia by mammography. Two carcinomas in situ were missed clinically and also by mammography.

Conclusion: When malignancy is not suspected on clinical grounds the first examination should be sonography, mammography being reserved for cases of doubt. Where, however, malignancy is suspected, and for follow-up, mammography retains its primary position.