Male breast cancer: pathological and immunohistochemical features

Abstract

Background: male breast cancer is uncommon and studies regarding the potential clinical relevance of the histopathological and immunohistochemical features are infrequently reported.

Materials and methods: We investigated the biological characteristics of forty-one male patients with invasive breast cancer by assessing histopathological and multiple immunohistochemical features.

Results: The majority were no special type (ductal) (37/41), lobular cancer was not seen. 73% were histological grade 3, 93% were positive for oestrogen receptor and 73% for progesterone receptor. The proportion of cancers positive for c-ebB-2 (45%), EGFR (20%), p53 (58%), MiB1 (40%), NCRC11 (78%), were similar to reports for female breast cancer. Nonsignificant associations between poor survival outcome and grade 3 tumours, and positive tissue staining for MiB1 and p53 were seen.

Conclusion: While there ar similarities in the biological features of breast cancer in males and females, some differences were identified. Male breast cancer is more likely to be grade 3 tumours and hormone receptor positive.