Ductal carcinoma in situ of the male breast: clinical radiological features and management in a cancer referral center

Purpose To present an overview of the management of male patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the breast (male DCIS). Methods We retrospectively studied all male patients with a diagnosis of pure DCIS from January 1999 to December 2018: 20 patients were identified in our cancer referral center. We collected data regarding clinical presentation, age of onset, radiological features, receptor status of the neoplasm, histological type, and the follow-up of those patients. Results The median age was 62 years (range 21-80). All patients underwent surgery, in 15/20 (75%) cases a mastectomy was carried out. Two patients (10%) underwent endocrine treatment and 1/20 (5%) underwent radiotherapy. The receptor status for 15/20 patients was documented: 13/15 patients were ER+/Pr+. In 3 cases the Ki 67% was positive (i.e., > 20%). All cases were negative for Her2. The median follow-up time was 9.0 years (IQR 4.0-13.7). Only one patient had an ipsilateral recurrence with the finding of an infiltrating carcinoma in the same breast after 14 years. The 5-year disease-free survival was 92.9%. Conclusion Pure DCIS in men is an extremely rare disease: proper diagnosis and management allow an excellent prognosis.