title: Pharmacologic treatment of male breast cancer.
abstract: Male breast cancer is an uncommon condition. It often occurs in settings in which there is an imbalance between androgens and oestrogens. Genetics plays an important role, as many cases are associated with mutations in BRCA2 or other genes. Male breast cancer occurs at an older age than female breast cancer and is frequently diagnosed at a later stage. Tumors are predominantly oestrogen and progesterone positive. Prognosis is approximately equivalent to that of breast cancer in females when matched for age, stage and hormonal receptors. The recommended treatment for male breast cancer is similar to that for breast cancer in postmenopausal females. However, the presence of androgens in males has a strong effect on the hormonal milieu and the ability of male patients to respond to hormonal agents. When pharmacologic treatment is required, tamoxifen is effective for first-line therapy. Other hormonal approaches such as orchiectomy, aromatase inhibitors and androgen ablation may be useful in later lines of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Oncology Section, Department of Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. thayes@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Teresa G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D024682:BRCA2 Protein