Tanhueco A, Youssef MMG. Inflammatory Breast Cancer in Men: A rare clinical case report and a literature review.
Int J Surg Case Rep 2021;
80:105696. [PMID:
33667907 PMCID:
PMC7933734 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105696]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Very few cases of inflammatory breast cancer have been reported in men.
Diagnosis can be missed leading to delay in management.
Management can be complex and requires multidisciplinary input.
Clinicians should be aware of the differential diagnosis.
A summary of the available literature is presented.
Introduction and importance
The initial misdiagnosis and delayed treatment for inflammatory breast cancer in men is brought about by its rarity and lack of readily available guidelines on pathways.
Case presentation
A 78-year-old male presented to the breast clinic with an abscess and was later diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. He presented with an abscess and was initially treated with antibiotics. Imaging showed a large left breast mass consistent with inflammatory carcinoma with axillary lymph node involvement. Patient was started on Tamoxifen as a bridge for surgery with no response. He eventually had a mastectomy and axillary clearance with the histology confirming the diagnosis and tumour emboli in the lymphatic vessels. Chemotherapy, radiation and dual hormone therapy were included in the adjuvant treatment plan. Two episodes of neutropenic sepsis led to completing only five out of six planned chemotherapy cycles.
Clinical discussion
A review of literature and the reported cases was done by the team to contribute to the little information published about the disease and its management. The presented to the breast clinic during the height of the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic. The global impact of SARS-CoV-19 made surgical teams find ways to lessen elective lists to give way for patients affected during the pandemic.
Conclusion
Very few cases of inflammatory breast cancer have been reported in men. The diagnosis can be missed leading to delay in management. Management can be challenging and complex.
Collapse