Mammographic findings in men with breast cancer.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to identify the mammographic findings of breast cancer in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mammograms of 23 men with proved breast cancer (mean age, 63 years; range, 44-86 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Medical histories included gynecomastia in five, prior cancer in three, and radiation exposure in two. The most common signs were a mass in 13 and bloody nipple discharge in eight. RESULTS: Carcinoma was evident mammographically as an uncalcified mass in 17 patients (74%) and as a mass with microcalcifications in two patients (9%). Three tumors were not evident on mammograms, including one that was obscured by gynecomastia. Tumors were largely subareolar (14/17, 82%), and all were ductal cancers, including six pure intraductal carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Mammograms of men with breast cancer usually show an uncalcified subareolar mass, which may mimic or be obscured by gynecomastia. If calcifications are present, they may not have a pattern usually associated with malignancy.