To evaluate the impact of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on survival outcomes in male breast cancer (MBC) patients, highlighting its significance in treatment strategies.
Key Findings:
33.9% of SEER patients received PMRT, which was associated with improved OS (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.53–0.94).
Improved OS was particularly noted in patients with T2 tumors, 2–3 positive lymph nodes, or negative progesterone receptor status.
No significant difference in BCSS was observed in the SEER cohort.
Similar trends were noted in the SJTUBCDB cohort, linking PMRT to better OS and DFS in high-risk subgroups, particularly in Luminal B subtypes.
Interpretation:
PMRT may improve overall survival in selected high-risk MBC patients, suggesting the need for personalized treatment strategies and its implications for clinical practice.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias.
Limited generalizability due to the rarity of MBC and reliance on existing databases, with potential confounding factors affecting results.
Conclusion:
PMRT is associated with improved OS in high-risk MBC patients, supporting its use and emphasizing the need for further prospective trials to validate these findings.
