[Postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall in patients with male breast cancer].

Introduction: We analysed our long-term results with postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall in male breast cancer patients with respect to local control and survival.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with 26 histological proven carcinomas of the male breast underwent postoperative radiotherapy of the chest wall with (n = 15) or without regional lymphatics after mastectomy. Additionally 13 patients received adjuvant hormones and 3 patients adjuvant chemotherapy. Median age at treatment was 62.2 years (45.9-78.5 years). Median follow-up was 15.3 years (7.7-27.5 years).

Results: Overall survival after radiotherapy was 28 %, disease-specific survival was 64 %. Actuarial 3-, 5- and 10-year survival was 72 %, 56 % and 35 %. Median survival time was 6.1 years. Actuarial progression-free survival was 80 %, 52 % and 43 % after 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Local tumor control was 92 % (24 / 26). Survival was significantly affected by the presence of lymph node metastases (p < 0.01) and localisation of the tumor in the right breast (p < 0.04).

Conclusion: Postoperative radiotherapy is an important part of the management of male breast cancer to improve local control and progression-free survival. The presence of lymph node metastases significantly impairs survival.