Invasive carcinoma of the breast in males: a review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the rarity and particularities of male breast cancer, review the epidemiology and prevalence of the
disease. Methods: A literature review was conducted on male breast cancer with search in the Department of Informatics
of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) platform selecting the descriptors “breast neoplasms male,” “invasive breast
cancer male,” “male breast cancer invasive,” and “male breast neoplasms invasive”. The inclusion criteria comprised studies in humans, male sex, and publications from the last 10 years. Research also included the databases PubMed, Google
Scholar, Cochrane Library, and EBSCO. Results: This document reviewed the literature on invasive male breast carcinoma, a rare neoplasm that represents less than 1% of breast cancer cases. Due to its rarity, diagnosis is often delayed,
compromising the prognosis. The study discussed risk factors such as hormonal imbalances, genetic mutations, and obesity. It also highlights that male breast cancer has a higher prevalence in older men and is mostly diagnosed in advanced
stages. Therapy largely follows the protocols applied to female breast cancer; usually, the mastectomy is the standard
surgical treatment, accompanied by hormonal therapies, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. The epidemiological analysis
through data collection from 2014–2023 revealed that, although male breast cancer is rare, its incidence has been increasing in Brazil. An average of the past 10 years showed that the Northeast region had the highest national incidence with
1.03 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while the North region had the lowest with an average of 0.31. In absolute numbers,
the Southeast region concentrated the cases, with a total of 2,866 subjects over 10 years. When analyzing the Southern
region, Rio Grande do Sul state had the highest incidence with 0.90 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while Santa Catarina
had the lowest with 0.46. Conclusion: Despite the limitations, it is possible to recognize the importance of early diagnosis and public policies for the prevention of this neoplasm, as well as its particularities.