Evaluation of Association between Tumor Markers, Hormonal Receptors, Inflammatory Biomarkers and Breast Cancer

Background: Male breast cancer, though rare, requires reliable diagnostic and prognostic markers. This study evaluated tumor markers, hormonal receptors, and inflammatory biomarkers in male breast cancer. Methods: A case–control study included 150 men with breast cancer and 50 matched controls (38–52 years). Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical evaluation, mammography, and histopathology. Serum was collected and stored at −80°C. Tumor markers—cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and inflammatory biomarkers, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP)  were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hormonal receptors, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and androgen receptor (AR)  were measured by Cobas e411 immunoassay. Results: Age and education were similar between groups. Patients had higher smoking rates (45% vs. 20%, p = 0.01) and body mass index (28.6 ± 3.2 vs. 26.1 ± 2.8 kg/m², p = 0.02). Tumor markers, hormonal receptors, and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly elevated in patients (p < 0.001). Strong correlations were found between CA15-3 and IL-6 (r = 0.68), ER and CRP (r = 0.55), and PR and TNF-α (r = 0.61). Conclusions: Elevated tumor markers, hormonal receptors, and inflammatory biomarkers indicate a link between inflammation, hormonal regulation, and tumor progression, highlighting their diagnostic and prognostic value in male breast cancer.