General Information about Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.
Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations (changes).
Men with breast cancer usually have lumps that can be felt.
Tests that examine the breasts are used to diagnose breast cancer in men.
If cancer is found, tests are done to study the cancer cells.
Survival for men with breast cancer is like survival for women with breast cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.
Breast cancer may occur in men. Breast cancer may occur in men at any age, but it usually occurs in men between 60 and 70 years of age. Male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer.
The following types of breast cancer are found in men:
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma: Cancer that has spread beyond the cells lining ducts in the breast. This is the most common type of breast cancer in men.
Ductal carcinoma in situ: Abnormal cells that are found in the lining of a duct; also called intraductal carcinoma.
Inflammatory breast cancer: A type of cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.
Paget disease of the nipple: A tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells found in one of the lobes or sections of the breast), which sometimes occurs in women, has not been seen in men.
Lumps and other signs may be caused by male breast cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
A change in the size or shape of the breast.
A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast.
A nipple turned inward into the breast.
Fluid from the nipple, especially if it is bloody.
Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple).
Dimples in the breast that look like the skin of an orange, called peau d ‘orange.
Tests that examine the breasts are used to diagnose breast cancer in men.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical exam and health history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
Clinical breast exam (CBE): An exam of the breast by a doctor or other health professional. The doctor will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) bounce off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. The picture can be printed to be looked at later.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of both breasts. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease.
Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. There are four types of biopsies to check for breast cancer:
Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire lump of tissue.
Incisional biopsy: The removal of part of a lump or a sample of tissue.
Core biopsy: The removal of tissue using a wide needle.
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle.
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