Although it's uncommon, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. Men's breasts do not grow to the same extent as women's, but all men do have breast tissue. Men may be more prone to ignoring warning signs and delaying visiting a doctor, but early detection and treatment are critical to prevent the cancer from spreading. This article discusses the risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods for breast cancer in males.

How does male breast cancer occur?

Male breast cancer is a form of cancer that develops in a man’s breast tissue. Male breasts have fatty tissue, ducts, and breast cells, but they can't make milk. Cancer occurs when cells in these tissues grow uncontrollably, causing a tumor. The tumor size determines the prognosis and whether cancer has spread to other body parts.

What are the types of male breast cancer?

Male breast cancer can take several forms, including:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma: The most prevalent type of breast cancer in men and women that starts in the ducts and spreads to other breast sections.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma: This cancer starts in the lobules (glands that produce milk) and can potentially spread to other body parts.
• DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ): This develops in the breast duct lining and doesn’t spread to the rest of the body or other breast regions. In men, ductal carcinoma in situ is rare.
• Inflammatory breast cancer: It’s a form of invasive ductal carcinoma, which is extremely rare in men. The breast tissue becomes red and swollen while the skin is dimpled, and there's no lump.
• Paget's disease of the nipple: Cancer cells form in the ducts and spread to the nipple and the region around the nipple in this cancer.

What are the signs of breast cancer in men?

It’s not easy to detect signs of breast cancer in men, but some common male breast cancer symptoms include:

• A lump in the breast that you can feel or see
• Swelling of one breast
• Nipple pain
• Nipple discharge
• Sores on the nipple or areola
• An inverted nipple
• Inflated underarm lymph nodes

How is breast cancer diagnosed in men?

Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask you questions about your medical history. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two non-invasive techniques that can provide detailed images, and blood tests can be used to look for indicators of illness.

If cancer cannot be ruled out, you may require a biopsy. Your doctor will take a sample of the questionable tissue using a needle. It may be necessary to remove the whole lump in some circumstances. A pathologist will examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it's malignant.

How is male breast cancer treated?

Pathology testing can help you figure out what form of cancer you have and how rapidly it will spread. This helps your doctor determine the best treatment strategy. Male breast cancer treatment options include:

• Lumpectomy: The tumor, and some healthy tissue surrounding it, is removed during this process
• Mastectomy: In this process, the entire breast is removed if the tumor is bigger or there’s more than one tumor. The excision of chest wall muscles and adjacent lymph nodes is occasionally required.
• Radiation treatment: It’s used to eliminate cancer cells that surgery might have missed.
• Chemotherapy: It's a drug used to eliminate cancer cells all over your body, and this treatment affects the entire body.

Although it’s rarer compared to women, male breast cancer complications can be much worse if it’s undiagnosed. Do not neglect any breast cancer symptoms and have regular checkups to stay safe and healthy.

If you notice any symptoms of breast cancer, call us at Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates. Our team will discuss the potential cancer treatment options with you and develop the best possible treatment plan for you.

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