Clinicopathological profile of male breast cancer: an institutional experience from Western Bihar, India

Abstract

Background: Male breast carcinoma (MBC) is rare (~1% of breast diagnoses) and often presents at advanced stages due to limited awareness, screening guidelines, and medical guidance. Data from Bihar, India, remains scarce. This study assessed institutional accrual alongside demographic, clinical, histological, and stage profiles at Netaji Subhas Medical College and Hospital (NSMCH), Bihta, Patna. Methods: An ambispective observational cohort study (January 2019 to December 2025) histopathologically confirmed primary male breast cancer (MBC) cases were included (retrospective: 2019–2023; prospective: 2024–2025). Age, symptoms, histological subtype, and AJCC 8th Edition (pTNM) stage were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with exact binomial and Poisson confidence intervals. Results: Over seven years, 36 patients were identified (mean accrual: 5.14 cases/year), predominantly aged 60–84 years. Painless breast lump was the chief symptom in 28 patients (77.7%). Invasive ductal carcinoma (no special type) was the predominant variant (33 cases, 91.7%). Advanced Stage III or IV disease was present in 27 patients (75.0%) at initial diagnosis. Conclusions: MBC in western Bihar primarily affects older men and usually presented at advanced stages through symptom-driven detection, dominated by invasive ductal carcinoma. Improving public awareness, screening efficiency, rapid histopathological diagnosis, referral networks, and regional cancer registration is essential.