[Men with breast cancer have increased risk of other cancers]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the frequency of family history of breast cancer in male patients with breast cancer and the association with other cancers.

Patients and methods: The patient group consisted of consecutive male patients managed for primary breast cancer in our institution between January 1997 and July 2012. Clinical data included comorbidities, BMI, personal and familial history of other cancers were searched.

Results: Thirty-one male patients with the diagnosis of 32 primary breast cancers were enrolled during the study period. Thirty-two percent patients had family history of breast cancer, 29% patients had other primary cancers, and 16.1% of patients had associated prostate cancer.

Discussion and conclusion: Male breast cancer frequently occurs in a context of family history of breast cancer. Its diagnosis must lead to the screening of prostate cancer especially in young men with family history.