Among women, breast cancer–related deaths have steadily decreased, but little research has centered on breast cancer–specific survival (BCSS) in men to determine if a similar trend exists. Researchers collected records for 8412 male breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2017. The patients were divided into 3 cohorts according to the year they were diagnosed (1988-1997, 1998-2007, and 2008-2017). The overall average age in years of the entire study population and within each diagnosis group was 68 years.
No significant difference in BCSS was observed among each diagnosis group or within each stage of breast cancer. BCSS at 5 years was 83.5%, 83.6%, and 84.3% in groups 1988-1997, 1998-2007, and 2008-2017, respectively (P = .8). Conversely, overall survival significantly improved at 5 years. Overall survival was 64.7%, 67.2%, and 69.3% in periods 1988-1997, 1998-2007, and 2008-2017, respectively (P = .01).
These data indicate improvement in overall survival but no change in BCSS among men over the past 30 years. The researchers conclude that overall life expectancy in male breast cancer may be increasing, and additional research is needed to further assess and improve BCSS in male breast cancer.
Source: Leone JP, Freedman RA, Leone J, et al. Survival in male breast cancer (MaBC) over the past three decades. American Society of Clinical Oncology Virtual Meeting; June 4-8, 2021. Abstract 569.