Male breast cancer in Indian patients: is it the same?

An update on existing therapeutic options and status of novel anti-metastatic agents in breast cancer: Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic action of Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in breast cancer attenuation

Major significant advancements in pharmacology and drug technology have been made to heighten the impact of cancer therapies, improving the life expectancy of subjects diagnosed with malignancy. Statistically, 99% of breast cancers occur in women while 0.5-1% occur in men, the female gender being the strongest breast cancer risk factor. Despite several breakthroughs, breast cancer continues to have a worldwide impact and is one of the leading causes of mortality. Additionally, resistance to therapy is a crucial factor enabling cancer cell persistence and resurgence. As a result, the search and discovery of novel modulatory agents and effective therapies capable of controlling tumor progression and cancer cell proliferation is critical. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS), commonly known as Indian ginseng, has long been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments in the Indian context. Recently, WS and its phytoconstituents have shown promising anti-breast cancer properties and, as such, can be employed as prophylactic as well as therapeutic adjuncts to the main line of breast cancer treatment. The present review is an attempt to explore and provide experimental evidences in support of the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of WS in breast cancer, along with a deeper insight into the multiple molecular mechanisms and novel targets through which it acts against breast and other hormonally-induced cancers viz. ovarian, uterine and cervical. This exploration might prove crucial in providing better understanding of breast cancer progression and metastasis and its use as an adjunct in improving disease prognosis and therapeutic outcome.

A Single Centric Quantitative Assessment of Male Breast Cancer Knowledge, Perception, and Awareness: Breaking the Stigma in Indian Population

Most people throughout the world are still uninformed of the problem of breast cancer in men. Despite increasing awareness programs targeting women, most people are unaware that breast cancer can also affect men. Our purpose is to assess the knowledge, perception, and awareness of male breast cancer among the adult male population. A descriptive cross-sectional survey included 128 male employees who agreed to participate in our study. We distributed pre-validated questionnaires to participants and gathered data following the one-on-one interview. The mean age of the participants was 37.71 years with a standard deviation of 7.65. About 55.5% of the participants were unaware that changes in the nipple position could be a sign of breast cancer. Majority of the participants, i.e., 60.9% believe positive family history will not increase the risk of breast cancer and 93% of participants have no idea about self-breast examination to detect lumps. On the other hand, 33.6% of participants stated that diagnosis and treatment of male breast cancer is embarrassing. Majority of the participants have no idea about the screening methods, 59.4% of participants have not heard about mammography, which is considered a modality of choice for early detection of breast cancer. The male university staff were lacking in knowledge and awareness about male breast cancer. In Indian community, because of shyness, they feel very embarrassed when it comes to openly discussing breast cancer. Because of this, it needs to receive more attention and to educate the male population about male breast cancer.

Male breast cancer: a 30 year retrospective analysis from a tertiary cancer care centre

Background

Male breast cancer (MBC) is one of the rare malignancies that account for less than 1% of all malignancies in males. However, the clinicopathological characteristics of MBC are not entirely similar to female breast cancer; but still, it is treated in line with the female breast cancer protocols.

Aims

To retrospectively analyse trends in MBC as to its distribution, presentation, treatment, and outcome.

Material and method

A total of 106 patients with MBC from 1991 to 2020 were analysed retrospectively. Frequency distribution analysis of the demographic and clinicopathological data and treatment variables was done.

Results

Median age of presentation was 57 years; ranging from 30 to 86 years. Either of the sides was almost equally affected with an R: L ratio of 1.2:1. The average duration of complaint was 26.2 months (range 1-240 months). History of gynaecomastia was noted in 18 patients, significant benign prostate hypertrophy in 13, and hypertension needing medical treatment in 14 patients. The majority of the patients were smokers (72/106) and alcoholics (43/106). Five patients reported positive family history. 21 patients had metastatic disease at presentation and received palliative treatment. Stage II was seen in 36.8%, stage III in 43.4%, and stage IV in 19.8% of patients. Node positives were 63.2%. Pathology was invariably (90.5%) infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Radiation was administered in 85.8% of the patients, chemotherapy in 72.6% of patients, and hormonal treatment was given in 47.2% of patients. The median overall survival (OS) was 78 months. OS at 5 and 10 years was 78% and 58% respectively.

Conclusion

Despite the possibility of MBC being apparent at an early stage, patients present with locally advanced disease. Radical surgery with adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy remains the gold standard. Cancer education campaigns must be run to catch the early disease and to radically treat the disease.

Male Breast Cancer: The Three Decades' Experience of a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Lower-Middle Income Country

Introduction

Male breast cancer is uncommon and managed on the guidelines of female breast cancer due to tumor rarity. We sought to identify the incidence, clinicopathological features, and survival of all male breast cancer patients managed in our hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan, from January 1986 to December 2018. Demographic data, treatment records, and follow-up data of all male breast cancer patients who were treated at AKUH was reviewed.

Results

Thirty-eight out of 42 patients who presented over a period of 32 years were included. The mean age was 63 years. The most common tumor type and subtype were invasive ductal carcinoma (89.5%) and luminal A (73.7%), respectively. The majority (36.8%) of the patients presented at stage III. Among 30 (78.9%) patients who underwent surgery, mastectomy was performed in 30 (78.9%), upfront axillary clearance in 24 (63.2%), axillary sampling in five (15.1%) cases, and sentinel lymph node biopsy in one (2.6%) case. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given to 10 (26.3%) patients, and adjuvant chemotherapy to eight (21.1%) patients. Adjuvant hormonal treatment was administered to 22 (57.9%) patients, and 13 (34%) patients received adjuvant radiation to the chest wall. The five-year overall survival was 38.2% and the median survival was 36 months. The five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was found to be 33.7%.

Conclusion

Breast cancer in males presents at an advanced stage with poor survival. Multicenter studies are required to accurately identify incidence, prognostic factors, and outcomes in order to have a better understanding of its management.

Evaluation of Rare Types of Breast Cancer among Indian Patients - a Retrospective Study from a Regional Cancer Center

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among Indian women and invasive duct cell carcinoma (IDCC) the most common histology (80-90%) followed by noninvasive duct cell carcinoma (non-IDCC) subtypes (about 10%). Most of the non-IDCC are rare (<1-2%), and literature on this topic is sparse. Age is an important prognostic factor and varies with ethnicity. The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and age at presentation of different types of BC.

Material and Methods

This is a single institute retrospective observational study evaluating BC over the last 7 years at our institute. We evaluated the demographic and pathological features.

Results

There were a total of 2725 patients, of these 89.7% had IDCC and 10.2% had non-IDCC. There were 13 subtypes of non-IDCC, the most common being sarcoma/phyllodes (2.4%) and lobular (2.3%). The other subtypes were very rare (<1.5% each). The non-IDCC male BC was very rare (0.07%). The median age at presentation was similar for IDCC and non-IDCC types (50 years). The p value for age at presentation was significant for mucinous (0.0001), phyllodes (<0.0001), and sarcoma breast (0.009) when compared with IDCC.

Conclusion

The incidence of IDCC, non-IDCC, and rare subtypes of non-IDCC are comparable to literature except lobular (lower) and phyllodes/sarcoma (higher). Indian patients presented a decade earlier for both IDCC and non-IDCC types. Tubular and papillary presented at an age comparable to IDCC, in contrast to the West. Given these differences, the prognosis of non-IDCC needs to be evaluated in future studies on Indian BC patients.

Cytological Evaluation of Pathological Male Breast Lesions

Objective

This study aimed to determine the cytodiagnostic spectrum of various male breast lesions, which were corroborated on histopathology as appropriate, to describe the process of the cytomorphology of some uncommon pathological lesions, and to discuss the reasons of their misdiagnoses.

Materials and Methods

In this 8-year study, a total of 114 patients underwent fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In a representative case, nipple discharge from an 8-month-old child was examined. Confirmatory histopathology was obtained in 38 cases only.

Results

Gynecomastia was the most common (63.5%) male breast pathology. Invasive breast carcinoma of no special type was the most common variant of male breast malignancy. Half of the "gray zone" of cytological lesions was confirmed as cancer, but the rest were diagnosed as fibrocystic disease and intraductal papilloma. All cases with malignant cytology matched their corresponding histopathology. However, a tumor from an intraductal papillary carcinoma was miscued as ductal carcinoma on previous FNAC.

Conclusion

Cytological evaluation of male breast lesions provides highly sensitive and specific results with excellent histologic reproducibility. Thus, it should be the ideal pretherapeutic diagnostic procedure for male breasts. However, some benign pathological conditions, which are particularly associated with epithelial hyperplasia, perplex the cytomorphologic scenario into the "gray zone."

Presentation and Spectrum of Male Breast Cancer in a Rural Cancer Center in a Subunit of Tata Memorial Center, India

This is a retrospective study of the incidence and clinical profile of male breast cancer (MBC) presenting to a rural cancer center in Punjab, India. All MBC cases registered over a period of 4.5 years from January 2015 to July 2019 were included. The study included 34 MBC patients accounting for 1.9% of all breast cancer cases with median age of 62.5 years. All patients were from Punjab except one, with majority from district Sangrur. Family history was present in 7 (20.6%) patients. Mean BMI (n = 23) was 24.8. The median duration of symptoms was 6 months (range 1-60 months). Main complaint was lump in 58.8% of patients followed by lump with ulceration (41.2%). All cases were mostly unilateral, left in 21 (61.8%) and right in 13 (38.2%), and one had bilateral breast cancer. Most tumors were centrally located (70.6%). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma and grade 3 were the commonest histology. ER positivity was high seen in 76.5% cases. In our study, 16 (47.1%) patients presented with distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, and 10 (39.1%) were locally advance. Bone (41%) followed by lung (17%) were the most common sites of metastasis. Thirteen patients were treated radically, nine were treated with palliative intent, and twelve patients defaulted. Median follow-up period was 16.5 months. MBC constituted 1.9% of all breast cancers registered at our institute, which is higher than worldwide average. Our study population had a longer time to presentation, and majority were metastatic.

Male breast cancer: A retrospective review of clinical profile from a tertiary cancer care center of India

Aim:

Present study was done with an aim to analyse the clinicopathological and survival characteristics of male breast cancer patients.

Methods:

We did a retrospective review of our database and analysed total 27 patients who presented to breast oncology unit of Rajiv Gandhi cancer centre and research institute from January 2010 to April 2016.

Results:

Most common stage at presentation in our study was in stage II. The median follow up was 32.75 months. The actuarial 5-year survival was 92.30% and DFS was 76.30%. Only hormone receptor status was found as a significant prognostic variable among the prognostic factors studied for disease free survival.

Conclusions:

Carcinoma breast in male is a relatively rare disease and management principles are translated from our understanding of breast cancer in women. A relatively early stage at presentation is a contrasting finding of our series which may be responsible for a significantly better actuarial 5 year survival rates.

Breast cancer in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A retrospective analysis

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in India among women. This study was conducted to describe the demographic, clinical, histopathological, endocrinological and survival pattern of breast cancer patients in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Methods

The study was done in Medical Oncology department of GB pant hospital. Data was retrieved from the case sheets of patients who consulted from 1st February 2015 to 31st January 2018. As this hospital is the only referral hospital, the patients are representative of all cancer patients in the Island, and the population base is well defined.

Results

During the study period, 85 breast cancer patients were treated. Of the 82 female patients, the standardized incidence rates in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 8.82, 13 and 14.42 per 100,000 women respectively. The prevalence and mortality rates in 2015, 2016, 2017 were 14.88, 27.96, 40.37, and 1.1, 2.74, 0.55 per 100,000 women respectively. Metastasis was detected at the time of diagnosis in 18.8% of patients. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity was reported in 55.9% of patients, HER 2 positivity in 28.1% and triple negativity in 27.3%. The overall survival at 12, 24, and 36 months follow-up were 88.9%, 84.3% and 52.7% respectively. In univariable analysis, the hazard ratios were significantly higher for patients with metastasis and diagnosis before 2015.

Conclusion

As compared to the country, breast cancer incidence was lower in the Islands with better survival. Stage at diagnosis was the most important factor determining survival in these patients.

Male Breast Cancer: Current Trends-a Tertiary Care Centre Experience

Male breast cancer is a rare tumour in all parts of the world. About 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. Occurrence of male breast cancer peaks at age 71 years. Familial cases usually have BRCA2 rather than BRCA1 mutations. Presentation is usually a lump or nipple inversion, but is often late, with more than 40% of individuals having stage III or IV disease. We retrospectively reviewed 25 male patients with breast cancer who came to the HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad between 2014 and 2018, and their demographic details, tumor profile, and radiological, histopathological as well as luminal profile findings were studied. The average age at presentation and detection of male breast cancer was 61.08 years. Incidence of male ca. breast over these 4 years was 4.75/year which had a significant increase compared with our own data in the last 8 years (3/year). Male to female ratio for ca. breast was 1:61. One out of 25 (4%) patients had gynaecomastia. The most common histology was invasive ductal carcinoma-not otherwise specified with none of the patients having lobular carcinoma. Majority of patients were ER/PR positive and HER-2 negative. Male breast cancer is having a rising incidence, which in our study is 1.56%. Males have relatively older age at presentation and stage-by-stage treatment remains the same. Males are more likely to be having prognostically favourable luminal subtypes. Male breast cancer in Indian population is currently experiencing an increasing trend. Improved awareness amongst patients and high index of suspicion by the clinicians along with accurate diagnostic techniques help detect the disease at an earlier stage culminating into prolonged overall and disease-free survival.

A study of mechanistic mapping of novel SNPs to male breast cancer

Alterations in BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, and p53 genes have been identified for their association with male breast cancer in various studies. The incidence of male breast cancer in India is consistent with its global rate. The present study was carried out with an aim to evaluate the genetic alterations in male breast cancer patients from Malwa region of Punjab, India. Four male breast cancer patients belonging to different families were recruited from Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, India. A total of 51 genes reported with implications in the pathogenesis of breast cancer were screened using next generation sequencing. Germline variations were found in BRCA1, BRCA2, PMS2, p53, and PALB2 genes, previously reported to be associated with MBC as well as FBC. In addition to these, 13 novel missense alterations were detected in eight genes including STK11, FZR1, PALB2, BRCA2, NF2, BAP1, BARD1, and CHEK2. Impact of these missense alterations on structure and function of protein was also analyzed through molecular dynamics simulation. Structural analysis of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed significant impact on the encoded protein functioning.

Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation in male breast cancer: Experience from a tertiary cancer center

BACKGROUND

Male breast cancers (MBC) account for 1% of all breast cancers. Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation (CTRT) is not the standard of care for treating breast cancer. However, in our center, it has been routinely used in patients with locally advanced breast cancer to downsize the tumor and make it amenable to surgery.

AIM

This study was conducted to examine the clinical and pathological profile and outcomes of patients with MBC treated at our institute with neoadjuvant CTRT.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center and was retrospective in nature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All MBC patients treated with neoadjuvant CTRT at our center between 2001 and 2016 were enrolled in the study. Data were retrospectively extracted from the patients' case records.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the outcome variables were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Thirty-one MBC patients who received neoadjuvant CTRT were analyzed in this study. The median age of the patients was 53 years. Stage IIB disease was observed in 8/31 (26%) patients, stage III in 20/31 (64%), and stage IV in 3/31 (10%) patients. There was no grade 3 or 4 toxicity due to CTRT. Surgery was performed in 29/31 (94%) patients and none of the patients had a pathological complete response. The median duration of follow-up was 95.3 months. The 8-year event-free survival and overall survival for stage IIB, III, and IV were 75%, 50%, and 0% and 87.5%, 69%, and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report on the use of neoadjuvant CTRT in MBC. Prospective evidence from phase-3 randomized controlled trials on the safety and efficacy of CTRT in breast cancer is required before its routine use can be recommended.

Male breast cancer: a 24 year experience of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancers found in men. It usually presents at a later age and stage as compared to female breast cancer. Treatment strategies are extrapolated from the management of female breast cancer. Our study here looked at 18 patients diagnosed with and treated for male breast cancer at The Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan. We compared our findings with the existing data from Asian and Western countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted looking at patients with male breast cancer between January 1986 and December 2009. Patient and disease characteristics were analyzed and 5 year overall survival was calculated using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

RESULTS

The average age at diagnosis was 52 years (38-67 years). Twelve (66.7%) patients had axillary lymphadenopathy. Stage II disease was the most common stage at presentation (9 patients, 50%). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was seen in 16 patients (88.8%). Seven lesions were positive for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. Sixteen patients had surgery in the form of either modified radical mastectomy or radical mastectomy. Radiation was used in 7 patients in an adjuvant setting. The five year overall survival for stage I, II, III and IV disease was 100% vs 78% vs 50% vs 0%( p<0.05). Five year overall survival was 61%. None of the other prognostic factors were statistically significant. Median follow up was 15 months (3-202 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Male breast cancer may be on a slow rise but is still an uncommon disease. Tumor stage and lymph node status are important prognostic markers. Public awareness and screening may help in detecting the disease at an earlier stage. Prospective trials are needed to improve the management of this disease.

Invasive lobular carcinoma of the male breast: A rare histology of an uncommon disease

Male breast carcinoma is a rare malignancy comprising less than 1% of all breast cancers. It is a serious disease with most patients presenting in advanced stages. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common histology while lobular carcinoma represents less than 1% of all these tumors. We report a case of locally advanced lobular carcinoma of breast in a 60 year old male.

Male Breast Cancer in India: Series from a Cancer Research Centre

Male breast cancer (MBC) is an uncommon malignancy. The scarcity of cases has reduced the focus of research in this area as compared with female breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer in males is slowly rising and it becomes important to study the biology of this uncommon illness. Aim of the present work was to study the clinico-pathological behaviour of male breast cancer at a cancer research institute in India. 18 cases of MBC were identified out of 1752 cases of breast cancer registered during a 10 year period. Clinical parameters and histopathological data were analysed. MBC comprised of 1.03 % of total breast cancer cases. Median age of presentation was 60 years. Most of the patients presented to us in advanced stage. Aggressive pattern of disease was recognised with high node positivity, more perineural spread and lymphovascular invasion. Most of the cases were positive for hormone receptors. Breast cancer is seen at a relatively early age in Indian males. Disease is aggressive in nature with high hormone receptor positivity.