The modalities used to treat 27 male patients with metastatic breast cancer at Memorial Hospital from 1957-1979 are reviewed. The overall objective orchiectomy response rate was 48% (11123). The median response was 11 months (6-96 months). The median survival in responders was 58 months, whereas the median survival in orchiectomy failures was 24 months. Four patients had estrogen receptor protein determinations (EKP). Two positive ERP patients and one borderline ERP patient responded (18-34 months). One ERP-negative patient failed orchiectomy. The number o f major ablations in this series (two responsedtwo adrenalectomies, two failuredtwo hypophysectomies) does not permit conclusions. although revicw of the literature suggests that major ahlation may he valuable in patients responding to orchiectomy. T w o o f three patients who refused ablative therapy responded (three months, ten months) to single agent provera. Administering stilhesterol to the ten-month responder and to the patient who failed provera resulted in two additional responses (four months, continuing, and 22 months). Of six patients who failed orchiectomy and subsequently received chemotherapy, four patients responded (7-40 months). The median survival in these patients was 40 months (33-44 months). This review supports the importance o f orchiectomy in the treatment o f nietastatic niale breast cancer. Although the numbers are small. these data suggest that estrogen receptor determinations may he useful in selecting patients for orchiectomy. Selective additive hormone therapy may he useful in patients who refuse orchiectomy. Chemotherapy may provide worthwhile palliation in patients who fail orchiectomy.
Cancer 47:2 185 -2 189, 198 1. t i t s P A P E R will review the various therapies carried T out in patients with metastatic male breast cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1958-1979. Male breast cancer is a rare tumor accounting Tor about 1c/r of all breast cancer in most countries.'.' Moreover, male breast cancer is unique because of the frequency with which it responds to endocrine manipulation and ablation.'." Twenty-seven patients with adequate follow-up are described herein.
C l i n i c a l M a t e r i a l
Only those male patients with advanced breast cancer who had all or part of their therapy at Memorial Hospital between 1958 and 1970 are included. Proof of active disease was obtained in all patients who were