Purpose: To review the use of diagnostic breast imaging and outcomes for symptomatic male patients.
Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 122 males who underwent diagnostic imaging for breast symptoms at our academic center.
Results: The majority (94%) of cases had negative or benign imaging, with gynecomastia being the most common diagnosis (78%). There were two malignancies, both of which had positive imaging. Fifteen patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, and over half (53%) were palpation-guided biopsies initiated by the referring clinician despite negative imaging. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity for identifying cancer.
Conclusions: Malignancy is rarely a cause of male breast symptoms. Diagnostic breast imaging is useful to establish benignity and avert unnecessary biopsies.
Keywords: Gynecomastia; Male breast cancer; Male breast symptoms; Mammography.
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