Male breast cancer: pathological and immunohistochemical features.

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.