General Information about Male Breast Cancer
Key Points for This Section
| |
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:
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.
Back to Top
Next Section > |