Rare case of metaplastic breast cancer in a man

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Mar 7:2018:bcr2017222033. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222033.

Abstract

Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) in men is an extremely rare entity. MBC is typically very aggressive with a poor prognosis. In men, it has only been reported three times in the literature. We report a 47-year-old man who presented with right-sided breast erythema and nipple inversion. Mammogram revealed a 2.4 cm spiculated mass. Initial pathology was inconclusive; however, right-sided simple mastectomy showed invasive metaplastic carcinoma with adenosquamous histology. He received adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of dose dense Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide followed by 12 weeks of paclitaxel and chest wall radiation. Although oestrogen receptor status was 1%, tamoxifen was not given due to recent diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Two years after treatment, he is currently living with no signs of recurrence. This case will serve as a useful addition to the current literature discussing successful diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of a man with MBC.

Keywords: breast cancer; oncology; pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant*
  • Erythema / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mastectomy* / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Nipples / pathology*
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome