Oncogenes in Male Breast Cancer

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the degree of expression and prognostic significance of c-erbB-2, p53, and bcl-2 in male breast cancer (MBC). Thirty male patients with the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the breast were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent surgery; c-erbB-2, p53, and bcl-2 were immunohistochemically stained on sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Seventeen (56.7%) of the 30 cases of MBC were bcl-2 positive. Few specimens were found positive for c-erbB-2 (6.7%) and p53 (6.7%). The 5-year survival rate was marginally better for those patients with tumors staining positively for bcl-2 (p = 0.05). It was impossible to estimate the association between survival rate and p53 and c-erbB-2 expression because of the small number of positively stained specimens. In this study, only bcl-2 showed marginal association to other tumor parameters and a trend toward a better 5-year survival rate. At present there is inadequate evidence to support the use of molecular markers as independent prognostic markers in MBC.

Immunohistochemical investigation of CD34 antigen in male breast carcinoma

“…In men with mammary carcinoma the Her-2/neu has been found to have an expression rate ranging from 0 to 95%, while in women 20%-40% of the patients have Her-2/neu positivity [19,20]. Mutations of the p53 suppressor gene produce abnormal proteins that can be immunohistochemically detected in about one third or less of male breast carcinomas [21].…”

Vyrų krūties vėžys - išplitimo tendencijos ir gydymas Lietuvoje

“…Similar factors were observed among our patients. Among the medical conditions examined, a new finding emerged regarding an increased male breast cancer risk associated with a history of bone fracture (16). Gonadal insufficiency and low testosterone levels also contribute to bone density and osteoporosis (17).…”

Male Breast Cancer: Prognosis and Survivorship

“…It is unknown yet whether biologic markers are having the same prognostic significance in both sexes. In males, some studies have shown no relation between survival and HER2 status [8,9] while others demonstrated that positive HER2 pointed towards a shorter disease free or overall surviva [10,11]. Progesterone receptor status and lymphovascular invasion have not been proven to influence prognosis [12,13].…”