Hormonal treatment of disseminated male breast cancer

14 males with disseminated cancer of breast received a total of 35 endocrine trials, mainly in the form of hormonal supplementation. Overall, a 43% response rate was observed. In particular, remissions occurred in 7 of 11 instances with cyproterone acetate, in 3 of 7 with tamoxifen, in 2 of 5 with estrogens, in 2 of 5 with aminoglutethimide, in none of 3 with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate, in none of 1 with androgens, and in 1 of 3 with castration. The response to additive hormonal therapy was 44%. Median overall response duration was 10 months, 11 months following additive hormonal therapy. Median survival from start of therapy was longer in responding than in nonresponding patients (23.5 vs. 11 months). A disease-free interval did not appear to influence hormonal response. Patients responding to one form of hormonal treatment had a greater likelihood of responding to subsequent hormonal manipulations. Additive hormonal therapy may provide effective palliation in males with advanced breast cancer, and should be considered as a valid alternative to orchiectomy.