Abstract
The incidence of male breast cancer (MBC) is rising; however, mortality due to MBC has not changed, unlike female breast cancer. This lack of change is mostly attributable to a lack of major progress in the understanding and treatment of the disease. The treatment of MBC has been extrapolated from the knowledge of female breast cancer, despite the multiple differences in the pathogenesis, biology and genetics of these two disease entities, especially the differences with regard to the role of male hormones as well as estrogens in MBC compared with female disease. Although major advances in hormonal manipulation for the treatment of breast cancer are being developed, an improved understanding of the potential differences between male and female breast cancer is essential, as this would provide new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and probable improved outcome for MBC. This review aims at highlighting the major differences between male and female breast cancer with an emphasis on hormonal therapy, and discusses some of the recent advances in MBC.
Key Points
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Although the incidence of MBC is rising, mortality due to MBC has not changed, unlike FBC
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Treatment has historically been based on protocols used in FBC
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More research is needed for the evaluation of potential prognostic factors of MBC, such as HER2 overexpression and angiogenesis markers
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MBC differs from FBC with respect to epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, tumor characteristics, hormonal implications, and prognostic factors; these differences should be considered if major advances are to be made in treating this challenging disease
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Hormonal therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for MBC, but more research is needed for the evaluation of the role of hormonal manipulation, particularly that of aromatase inhibitors
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Nahleh, Z., Girnius, S. Male breast cancer: a gender issue. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 3, 428–437 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncponc0564
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncponc0564
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