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medpundit |
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Monday, May 24, 2004.....a comprehensive study of more than 2,500 male breast cancer patients diagnosed with the disease between 1973 and 1998 to better determine its prevalence, survival rate and differences between men and women. What she found surprised her. The incidence of breast cancer in men rose 25 percent over the years of the study, from 0.86 cases per 100,000 men to 1.08 cases. ....Overall survival rates for the disease are 63 percent after 5 years, and 41 percent after 10 years. The study is to be made available online here, but doesn't appear to be up yet. It's hard to say from the news reports whether or not the slight increase in incidence may be due to increased longevity. (Cancer is one of those diseases you are more apt to get the longer you live.) The same researcher published a review of male breast cancer two years ago in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a synopsis of which is here. The risk factors and presenting symptoms: "....up to 20 percent of male breast cancer cases have been associated with Klinefelter's syndrome. A family history of breast cancer, especially in first-degree relatives, is an important predisposing factor. Men with mutations of the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 have a higher risk of breast cancer. Gynecomastia is not a risk factor for breast cancer in men. The most common clinical presentation is a painless subareolar mass. Other common presenting signs include nipple retraction, local pain, nipple ulceration, bleeding, and discharge. This concludes our public service announcement. posted by Sydney on 5/24/2004 08:30:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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