Male breast cancer: Clinico-pathological features, immunocytochemical characteristics and prognosis

A series of 30 cases of male breast cancer in the North-East of Scotland is reviewed, The aims of the study were to document clinico-pathological and immunocytochemical features (available for 25) of these patients and to establish which factors could predict prognosis, Tumours were studied for the expression of oestrogen receptors (ERs), the oestrogen-dependent proteins pS2 and cathepsin D, the oncoprotein products of c-erb-B2 and the p53 tumour-suppressor-gene derived protein, Clinico-pathological features documented were in agreement with those reported by other authors, The overall 5-year survival was 53%, Tumour grade and lymph-node status influenced prognosis, In this series, 64% of the tumours expressed ERs, 50% pS2, 46%, cathepsin D, 42% the c-erb-B2 transmembrane oncoprotein and 54% p53, In contrast to female breast cancer, the presence of either substantial amounts of ERs or the oestrogen-dependent protein pS2 correlated with poorer prognosis in males, This correlation has not previously been documented.