Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is uncommon, accounting for only about 1% of all breast cancers. Male breast cancer is cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men. Though breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a woman's disease. It happens most common in older men, men between the ages of 60 and 70. though male breast cancer can occur at any age.

The cause of male breast cancer has not been fully characterized, but both environmental influences and genetic (inherited) factors are likely to play a role in its development. The following risk factors for the development of male breast cancer have been identified. Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer and having high estrogen levels, which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter's syndrome.

The most common type of male breast cancer is infiltrating ductal carcinoma, which is also a common type of breast cancer in women. Other uncommon types of cancers of the breast that have been reported in men include ductal carcinoma in situ (cancer in the ducts that has not spread beyond the ducts themselves).

Symptoms of male breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple. The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is finding a firm, non-painful mass located just below the nipple. The average size of breast cancer in men when first discovered is about 2.5 cm in diameter. The cancer may cause skin changes in the area of the nipple. These changes can include ulceration of the skin, puckering or dimpling, redness or scaling of the nipple, or retraction (turning inward) of the nipple. Bloody or opaque discharge from the nipple may also occur.

Men diagnosed with male breast cancer at an early stage have a good chance for a cure. Still, many men delay seeing their doctors if they notice unusual signs or symptoms, such as a breast lump. This is due to lack of awareness. Some men ignore breast lumps or think they are caused by an infection or some other reason, and they do not get medical treatment until the mass has had a chance to grow. Some men are embarrassed about finding a breast lump and worry that someone might question their masculinity. This may also delay diagnosis and reduce a man's chances for successful treatment. For this reason, many breast cancer in man are diagnosed when the disease is more advanced.

Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.