Male breast cancer

Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is a rare condition where malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast in men. Although breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a disease that affects women, it can also occur in men. It represents less than 1% of all breast cancers and less than 1% of all cancers in men.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of male breast cancer is not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified. These include:

• Age: The risk of male breast cancer increases with age, most commonly occurring in men over 60.
• Family history of breast cancer: Men with close female relatives who have had breast cancer are at higher risk.
• Genetic factors: Mutations in genes, particularly BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase the risk.
• Hormonal imbalances: Conditions that increase estrogen levels, such as obesity or liver disease, can elevate the risk.
• Radiation exposure: Previous radiation treatment to the chest area increases the risk.

Symptoms

Symptoms of male breast cancer can include:

• A lump or swelling in the breast tissue, which is usually painless
• Skin changes on the breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or scaling
• Nipple changes, including inversion, discharge, or scaling
• Swelling in the lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of male breast cancer typically involves a combination of:

• Physical examination: Checking for lumps or other changes in the breast tissue.
• Imaging tests: Mammography and ultrasound can help visualize abnormalities.
• Biopsy: A sample of breast tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Treatment

Treatment options for male breast cancer are similar to those for female breast cancer and may include:

• Surgery: Mastectomy (removal of the breast tissue) is common, and in some cases, lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue) may be an option.
• Radiation therapy: This may be used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
• Hormone therapy: If the cancer is hormone receptor-positive, medications that block hormones may be used.
• Targeted therapy: Treatments that target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as HER2 protein.

Prognosis

The prognosis for male breast cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis and other factors. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

Prevention

There are no specific measures to prevent male breast cancer, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being aware of risk factors can help identify changes early.

See Also

• Breast cancer
• Cancer
• Mammography
• Mastectomy
• Oncology