BREAKING STEREOTYPES: UNDERSTANDING MALE BREAST CANCER THROUGH 15 CASE STUDIES

Abstract

Male breast cancer (MBC) is an exceptionally rare disease, accounting for only 1% of all breast cancers. It remains a subject of limited research. Despite its rarity, the incidence of MBC has been increasing in recent years, prompting a surge of interest in understanding this condition. Risk factors for MBC encompass age, race, genetics, family history, obesity, hormone exposure, certain syndromes, and environmental factors. Unlike female breast cancer, MBC exhibits a unimodal age distribution, typically diagnosed at the median age of 68, about a decade later than female breast cancer. Although there have been improvements in the mortality rate of MBC over the past three decades, treatment protocols still largely mirror those for female breast cancer due to limited data and understanding of the disease. This study analyzes MBC data from the Medical Oncology Unit at the University of Messina, covering a five-year period, with a focus on clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and prognosis