Key Points for This Section

Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Radiation exposure, high levels of estrogen, and a family history of breast cancer can affect a man’s risk of developing breast cancer. Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations (changes). Tests that examine the breasts are used to detect (find) and diagnose breast cancer in men. Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to 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. Men at any age may develop breast cancer, but it is usually detected (found) 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. Most men with breast cancer have this type of cancer.
• 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’s 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.

Radiation exposure, high levels of estrogen, and a family history of breast cancer can affect a man’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Risk factors for breast cancer in men may include the following:

• Exposure to radiation.
• Having a disease related to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or Klinefelter’s syndrome (a genetic disorder).
• Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have an alteration of the BRCA2 gene.

Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations (changes).

Tests that examine the breasts are used to detect (find) and diagnose breast cancer in men.

A doctor should be seen if changes in the breasts are noticed. Typically, men with breast cancer have lumps that can be felt. A biopsy can be done to check for cancer. The following are different types of biopsies:

• Needle biopsy: The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
• Core biopsy: The removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue using a wide needle.
• Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire lump or suspicious tissue.

After the tissue or fluid has been removed, a pathologist views it under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to survival for women with breast cancer.

Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to that for women with breast cancer when their stage at diagnosis is the same. Breast cancer in men, however, is often diagnosed at a later stage. Cancer found at a later stage may be less likely to be cured.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer (whether it is in the breast only or has spread to other places in the body).
• The type of breast cancer.
• Certain characteristics of the cancer cells.
• Whether the cancer is found in the other breast.
• The patient’s age and general health.

Glossary Terms

Not normal. In referring to a lesion or growth, may be cancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer).

The removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration.

A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits an altered version of the BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma is cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system.

The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

A type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.

The removal of a tissue sample with a needle for examination under a microscope.

The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.

DCIS. A noninvasive, precancerous condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, ductal carcinoma in situ may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues, although it is not known at this time how to predict which lesions will become invasive. Also called intraductal carcinoma.

A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics.

A surgical procedure in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

The most common type of invasive breast cancer. It starts in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, grows outside the ducts, and often spreads to the lymph nodes.

A type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The skin of the breast may also show the pitted appearance called peau d'orange (like the skin of an orange). The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.

A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

A portion of an organ, such as the liver, lung, breast, thyroid, or brain.

LCIS. A condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. LCIS seldom becomes invasive cancer; however, having lobular carcinoma in situ in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.

The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope. Also called fine-needle aspiration.

A form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple. Symptoms commonly include itching and burning and an eczema-like condition around the nipple, sometimes accompanied by oozing or bleeding.

The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

Energy released in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, and medical x-rays.

Something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors for cancer include age, a family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco products, certain eating habits, obesity, exposure to radiation or other cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes.

The extent of a cancer within the body. If the cancer has spread, the stage describes how far it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

A group or layer of cells that are alike and that work together to perform a specific function.

A mass of excess tissue that results from abnormal cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).