[Postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall in patients with male breast cancer].
BACKGROUND
We analysed our long-term results with postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall in male breast cancer patients with respect to local control and survival.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with 26 histological proven carcinomas of the male breast underwent postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall with (n = 15) or without regional lymphatics after mastectomy. Additionally 13 patients received adjuvant hormones and 3 patients adjuvant chemotherapy. Median age at treatment was 62.2 years (45.9-78.5 years). Median follow-up was 15.3 years (7.7-27.5 years).


RESULTS
Overall survival after radiotherapy was 28 %, disease-specific survival was 64 %. Actuarial 3-, 5- and 10-year survival was 72 %, 56 % and 35 %. Median survival time was 6.1 years. Actuarial progression-free survival was 80 %, 52 % and 43 % after 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Local tumor control was 92 % (24 / 26). Survival was significantly affected by the presence of lymph node metastases (p < 0.01) and localisation of the tumor in the right breast (p < 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative radiotherapy is an important part of the management of male breast cancer to improve local control and progression-free survival. The presence of lymph node metastases significantly impairs survival.
Zabel-du Bois
A
A
Radiologische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Abt Radioonkologie und Strahlentherapie, Heidelberg, Germany. angelika_zabel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Milker-Zabel
S
S
Wannenmacher
M
M
Debus
J
J
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000528:radiation effects
D013629:Tamoxifen; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate