Zhao Lei, Cheng Huijuan, He Dongqiang, Zhang Yalan, Chai Yahui, Song Ailin, Sun Guodong
Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Oncology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Discov Oncol. 2025 Mar 19;16(1):360. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-02140-y.
Breast cancer is predominantly recognized as a condition affecting women, however, male breast cancer (MBC), despite its rarity, represents a significant and serious malignancy in men. Accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases, MBC is often diagnosed at a later stage compared to female breast cancer, primarily due to a lack of awareness and the absence of screening programs tailored for men. This delayed diagnosis typically results in poorer prognoses and more limited treatment options. Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in research and awareness surrounding MBC. This surge is largely driven by the recognition of its unique epidemiological and biological characteristics, which are distinct from those of female breast cancer. However, due to its low incidence, many aspects of MBC, including its etiology, clinical presentation, and optimal treatment strategies, remain inadequately understood. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of MBC by examining its incidence, mortality rates, and epidemiological characteristics on a global scale. Additionally, it explores the economic burden associated with the disease, identifies key risk factors, and discusses current preventive measures. Finally, the paper will offer insights into future research directions and potential advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of MBC.
乳腺癌主要被认为是一种影响女性的疾病，然而，男性乳腺癌（MBC）尽管罕见，但却是男性中一种严重的恶性肿瘤。MBC约占所有乳腺癌病例的1%，与女性乳腺癌相比，其诊断往往较晚，主要原因是缺乏认识以及没有针对男性的筛查项目。这种延迟诊断通常导致预后较差和治疗选择更有限。在过去十年中，围绕MBC的研究和认识显著增加。这种激增在很大程度上是由于认识到其独特的流行病学和生物学特征，这些特征与女性乳腺癌不同。然而，由于其发病率低，MBC的许多方面，包括其病因、临床表现和最佳治疗策略，仍未得到充分了解。本文旨在通过在全球范围内研究MBC的发病率、死亡率和流行病学特征，对其进行全面综述。此外，还探讨了与该疾病相关的经济负担，确定了关键风险因素，并讨论了当前的预防措施。最后，本文将对MBC诊断和治疗的未来研究方向和潜在进展提供见解。
