more attention to subtypes of male breast cancer
 

Breast Cancer Research
Volume 11
Issue 3

Research article
Immunohistochemical characterization of subtypes of male breast carcinoma
Yimin Ge , Nour Sneige , Mahmoud A Eltorky , Zhiqin Wang , E Lin , Yun Gong and Ming Guo

Breast Cancer Research 2009, 11:R28doi:10.1186/bcr2258

Published: 14 May 2009
Abstract (provisional)

Introduction
Male breast cancer accounts for around 1% of all breast cancer cases but has a rising incidence in recent years. This study is aimed to classify the molecular subtypes of male breast cancers based on the expression profile of immunomarkers and to evaluate their association with clinicopathological features and expression patterns of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB).

Methods
A total of 42 cases of male breast carcinoma were examined retrospectively using immunostains for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), EGFR, and NF-kB. HER2 expression was evaluated by immunostaining and confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results
The luminal A subtype was the most common subtype in male breast cancer (83%, 35/42), which was followed by the luminal B subtype (17%, 7/42). Basal-like and HER2+/ER- subtypes were not identified in this group. All carcinomas expressed ER and 67% of them were PR positive. High nuclear grades were more common in luminal B subtype (71%, 5/7) than that in luminal A subtype (34%, 12/35). The luminal B subtype carcinomas expressed EGFR (42%, 3/7) and NF-kB (57%, 4/7) more frequently than the luminal A subtype did (17%, 6/35 and 37%, 13/35, respectively).

Conclusions
In our study group, luminal A and B subtypes were the major subtypes of male breast carcinoma. The immunophenotypical features of male breast cancer differ from those of its female counterpart. Luminal B subtype tended to have high nuclear grade and more frequent expression of EGFR and NF-kB.

The entire article is available for open viewing at breast cancer research|.org

Lani, thanks for this. It makes me pleased to know that the advocating male breast cancer we do is getting through. I have waited 2 1/2 years to see this information get to the public.

Male breast cancer has been treated like female breast cancer for too long. The excuses were 'well it is rare'.

Yes it is rare but it is very different and yet it is treated the same because they do not know. This info and upcoming info about male breast cancer and the differences thereof, will help many men in the future.......and who knows, if some of this comes out soon, it may help my poor husband.

I strongly advocate for MBC and have asked how to go about sending this message. Male and female breast cancer is like oranges and apples.

I am jumping with joy for mankind right now!! I am so happy to be alive to see this information start to be studied. About time!!>>Believe51

my husband had a couple distant male cousins die from bc YEARS ago before they knew so much. i talk to one and he's observant about it and hopes he never deals with it.

This is good news that more studies are being done, but right now I have to admit that after reading this I'm pretty nervous now. If male bc is that different from women, how do we even know if the same treatments will work

Hey 'ole Buddy, always nice to see your posts.

The most important part of our puzzles is to join in unison to advocate. When we do this we give the purpose to studies like this. Do I think that more men are getting breast cancer? No, I think that we are aware of it more now and the embarrassment has lessened for men, just my opinion but I will never know for sure. We used to think that this cancer is rare and it is, but numbers of male breast cancer have been rising since the attention we are advocating. It is important to realize that these studies are pertinent and will tailor make our treatments in the future. Eventually these sub-types will be better understood and treated differently....they are, after all, different cancers. Yet, they are so alike.

For now we have to keep in heart that these drugs used for breast cancer do work for men and the future holds a much better plan. I agree with you though, Doug since I have always looked at the genetic and hormonal aspects of this disease when looking for the treatment answers. Breast cancer in men is much more aggressive so just keep advocating and teaching our little fellows of the future to be aware of their bodies and not to be embarrassed with coming to an adult they feel comfortable with. Who knows, if they find drugs to work in the aggressive male breast cancer.....we may be closer to a cure

Believe51's Conclusion: Our drugs do work for both cancers but will be better tailored-made therapies. We must advocate MBC to stand as one force to push the importance of these studies.....for now we are safe.

Lots of love to you Doug, although I never feel alone here, we have a bond that goes far beyond words. Not to mention that I am your biggest fan.

Duga and Believe,
at the FORCE conference last week there was a session specifically for men who are BRCA+ (not sure of Mighty Oaks status)...(male BC is a HUGE red flag for having a BRCA mutation)
"
Session: BRCA in Men
Speaker: Wendy Rubinstein, MD
This 80-minute concurrent session will focus on the cancer risks and risk
management recommendations for men who carry a BRCA mutation.

Dr. Rubinstein will discuss:

• lifetime and age-specific cancer risks for men with BRCA 1 and BRCA 2
• current risk-management recommendations for men with BRCA mutations
• emerging information and clinical trials looking at cancer risks in male BRCA carriers
• reasons why men might want to know their BRCA status

This session is appropriate for:

• Men who carry a BRCA mutation
• Parents/relatives/loved ones of men who carry a BRCA mutation
• Patient advocates, support group facilitators, and people who work with men
  with a BRCA mutation
• Health care providers who provide care to people with BRCA mutations
• Social workers/mental health care professionals who treat people with BRCA mutations"

When the session becomes available online I will post the link . Hopefully there will be some good info for you both!
_________________________
This message is from a dear friend of mine who is BRCA1+



"To all of you who have male loved ones who are BRCA+....please try to encourage them to have clinical exams and to learn how to do Self Breast Exams. I find that I do not do a Self Breast Exam proficiently so I rely on a wonderful woman at UCLA's high-risk center by the name of Sherry Goldman.

Yes, I have seen the 6% figures for BRCA2+ men(and slightly lower for BRCA1+ men) but, perhaps due to my age( I am 65 year old BRCA1(187delAG)+ male) I was told recently by a oncologist I deeply respect that my risk for breast cancer was approximately the risk of a non high-risk woman, or roughly one out of eight or 12%.

What is important, in my view, is that many men are unwilling to see a Certified Genetic Counselor and consider testing...If they do test and are positive, many men, from what I have been told by mammographers/oncologists I respect do not do any surveillance despite their BRCA+ status.

I have written this before but there are a lot of new folks on FORCE these days so it bares repeating, I think. I had a clinical breast exam at UCSF several years ago done by a nurse by the name of Suzie Eder who is a marvelous professional, in my opinion. She told me "Steve, it breaks my heart that men come in with a growth the size of a golf ball in their breast and it is often Stage III/IV metastatic disease. I ask them how long they have had it and often I am told 'several years..it seems to be getting bigger..do you think it is anything to be concerned about?'..."

So, again, for all of you who have male loved ones who may be at risk...please continue to speak to them about getting tested and if they are positive please encourage them to do surveillance...and for you guys out there who may be reading this...please, please do the surveillance...yes, I know it may be awkward sitting in a waiting room filled with women and/or going through the exam itself but the surveillance may very well save your life..

also, prostate surveillance is extremely important for all men but especially BRCA+ men..recent studies have shown that Aggressive Prostate Cancer may be a hallmark of BRCA2+ guys and also BRCA1(187delAG)..which is the mutation I share with my daughter.

you will all be happy to know I am off my soapbox..but it is really important.

all the best,

Steve "
__________________________________________________ __

Hugs,
Marcia

Thanks for the the post and I am looking forward to the link when possible......Oh and yes, the big guy is on that carrier list. I am also a big advocate for the prostate follow ups, it has been my experience with Ed that this tumor marker has been an on and off again issue. We are keeping a good eye on the PSA levels. I believe they play some significant role on what is happening to him. I think the trickiest part for us was that Ed had inflammatory breast cancer that had no lump so we need to pass this along too to our lil guys.>>Believe51

Please tell your friend for me that I loved his message and that I am right here backing these men with all my might!! Keep fighting the good fight.