Metastases affecting cranial nervous structures in male breast cancer: Two cases report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Breast cancer in males is a very rare entity, and survival is mainly influenced by the stage at diagnosis. The lack of early detection tools in men results in a diagnostic delay of about 5-10 years and a higher percentage of metastatic disease at diagnosis. However, the characteristics of head metastases are not well defined. CASE REPORTS We present two cases of male breast cancer with metastases affecting cranial nervous structures and we provide imaging and histologic data. Both were middle-aged patients with ductal-type, HER-2 negative and androgen receptor positive primary tumors. DISCUSSION Although central nervous system involvement is uncommon, this entity should be considered in middle-aged males with focal neurologic symptoms. More cases would be necessary to better understand the biology of this condition in order to establish an adequate diagnosis and treatment.