Male Breast Cancer: An Updated Review of Patient Characteristics, Genetics, and Outcome.

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare entity, underrepresented in population studies and clinical trials, resulting in management of MBC to be informed by current research on female breast cancer (FBC). A literature review was conducted by accessing relevant articles on 2 databases, by searching keywords "male breast cancer". A total of 29 articles from year 2011 to 2022 were selected for this review. The authors found that male breast cancer generally occurs later in life with higher stage, higher grade, and more estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumours. Most of the studies noted the mean age for MBCs at the time of presentation as >60 years. Risk factors for male breast cancer include family history, obesity, lower physical activity, and syndromes like the Klinefelter syndrome. Positive family history is much higher in MBC compared to FBC (30.9 vs. 18.4%). BRCA 2 cancers constitute a higher proportion compared to FBCs. A lot of genetic mutations have been observed. Some show promise to assess disease-specific survival and proliferative rate like TWIST1 and RUNX3, among others. MBCs usually present with a palpable lump in central region, with a bigger size and chance of nodal involvement and metastasis compared to FBCs. They are mostly infiltrating ductal type and hormone receptor positive, with worse histological grade. Treatment usually follows the same principles as FBCs (systemic therapy, surgical excision, and radiotherapy), with poorer prognosis to same treatment approach, possibly owing to its advanced stage at presentation. This is a rare entity which requires further research to ascertain need for different management approach than FBCs.

Prevalence and impact of endocrine disorders in advanced metastatic cancer patients undergoing cancer-directed therapy: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality, with cancer being one of the leading causes. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of endocrine disorders, specifically diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, in patients with advanced metastatic cancer undergoing cancer-directed therapy. METHODS: Over 15 months, we recruited 100 histologically proven advanced metastatic cancer patients from the Department of Medical Oncology Haematology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, and conducted institutional-based prospective observational study. All participants over 18 years of age, treatment-naive, and potential candidates for systemic chemotherapy with an expected clinical survival of at least 6 months were included in the study. Patients with prior therapy, secondary neoplasms, and those unable to complete 3 months of palliative chemotherapy were excluded. Patients were assessed for diabetes and thyroid function at presentation, after 3 and 6 months of cancer-directed standard therapy. These data were analyzed, processed, and presented as results. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 50.45 years, with a near-equal distribution of males and females. At baseline, 10% of the study population had preexisting endocrine disorders (2% hypothyroidism, 8% diabetes). By the end of 6 months, the prevalence increased to 18%, with females being more affected. Notably, the prevalence of new-onset endocrine disorders during cancer-directed therapy was only 3% for diabetes and 4% for thyroid dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Analysis of sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics showed no significant association with changes in diabetic and thyroid status at 3 and 6 months. However, substance use, particularly smoking, was associated with an increased risk of diabetes development (p < .05). Cancer type and treatment regimen did not show statistically significant correlations with endocrine dysfunction. IMPLICATIONS: Our study highlights the importance of considering endocrine disorders in advanced metastatic cancer patients undergoing therapy. The prevalence of diabetes and thyroid dysfunction increased during cancer-directed therapy, particularly in females. Careful monitoring and timely intervention are essential to improve the quality of life for these patients. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of cancer-directed therapy on endocrine health and develop tailored management strategies for this vulnerable population.

Spontaneous Enteral Migration of a Feeding Jejunostomy Tube: An Unusual Complication.

Established consensus suggests that enteral nutrition is more beneficial in patients with a functioning gut than parenteral nutrition. It helps in early physical rehabilitation from a disease or surgical stress and is associated with fewer complications compared to parenteral nutrition. Jejunal feeding is one of the routine modes of enteral nutrition in patients with gastric dysfunction, either due to surgery or critical illness. Various complications have been reported when using feeding tubes, grouped as mechanical, infectious, gastrointestinal, and metabolic. Here, we report an unusual case of a 47-year male with a history of prepyloric perforation repair leak who presented to us on postoperative day 14 with an enterocutaneous fistula and a feeding jejunostomy tube in situ. He was evaluated and managed conservatively and discharged on enteral feeds, both orally and via a jejunostomy tube. One month after discharge, he presented with features of intestinal obstruction with a missing jejunostomy tube. Radiological investigations suggested enteral migration of the jejunostomy tube, which was managed non-operatively, and the patient was discharged on day three post-admission after per rectal expulsion of the tube.

Recurrent retrorectal tailgut cyst mimicking deep pelvic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma.

Tailgut cysts are congenital anomalies that are rare and arise from incompletely regressed primitive hindgut. These are more commonly found in women and are usually asymptomatic. When symptoms develop, these can present with pain, infection, hemorrhage, difficulty in defecation, and rarely malignant change. We report a middle-aged married woman who presented with deep-seated perineal pain for a couple of months, which increased during defecation and sexual intercourse. Although abdominal examination was unremarkable barring deep tenderness in the hypogastrium, rectal and vaginal examinations suggested a tender pelvic swelling. An abdominal ultrasonographic examination diagnosed a cystic swelling in the pelvis extending until the Levator ani muscles. Considering her symptoms, a pelvic abscess was diagnosed and transvaginal drainage was done. Due to persistence of symptoms and recurrence after a month, she was further investigated and was diagnosed to have a presacral benign cystic tumor based on CT and MRI scans of the pelvis. The lesion was completely excised through a combined abdomino-perineal approach and histopathological report suggested a benign tailgut cyst. That a cystic presacral swelling with features of inflammation can be confused with a deep pelvic abscess is hereby highlighted in this report. An MRI scan is diagnostic of these lesions. Failure to differentiate it from a pelvic abscess may result in drainage, which may be of concern if the lesion is malignant.