Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the breast tissue.
Men can get breast cancer. Men of any age can develop breast cancer, but it usually occurs between the ages of 60 and 70. Breast cancer in men accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
The following are types of breast cancer in men:
Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast:Cancer that has spread to cells outside the ducts of the breast. This is the most common type of breast cancer in men.
Mammary ductal carcinoma in situ: abnormal cells found in the lining of the ducts; also called intraductal carcinoma.
Inflammatory breast cancer: a type of cancer in which the breast looks red, swells, and feels warm.
Papillary Paget’s disease: a tumor that grows from the ducts under the nipple to the surface of the nipple.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells found in one lobe or part of the breast) sometimes occurs in women and has not occurred in men.
Anatomical view of the male breast. The nipple and areola are on the outside of the breast. Also shows the lymph nodes, fatty tissue, ducts, and other parts of the interior of the breast.
Family history of breast cancer and other factors can increase the risk of breast cancer in men.
Any factor that increases the chance of developing the disease can be what is called a risk factor, and the presence of a risk factor does not mean you will have cancer; and the absence of a risk factor does not mean you will not have cancer. Therefore, you should consult your doctor when you think you are at risk for cancer. Risk factors for male breast cancer may include the following:
Radiotherapy to the breast/chest.
Having diseases associated with high estrogen levels in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) and Crohn’s syndrome (genetic disorder).
Have one or more female relatives with breast cancer.
Have a genetic mutation (change), such as the BRCA2 gene.
Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by an inherited genetic mutation (change).
The genes in the cells carry genetic information received from the parents. Hereditary breast cancer accounts for about 5% to 10% of all breast cancers. Some mutated genes are associated with breast cancer, such as BRCA2, which is more common in certain races. Men who carry a mutated gene associated with breast cancer are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Some tests are available to detect (find) mutated genes. Family members with a high risk of cancer sometimes have these genes tested. For more information, see the following PDQ summary:
Genetics of breast and gynecologic cancers
Prevention of Breast Cancer
Screening for breast cancer
Men with breast cancer usually have a palpable lump.
Lumps and other symptoms may be caused by male breast cancer or other diseases. Talk to your doctor if you have:
lumps or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Depressions or folds in the skin of the breast
Increased nipple
Nipple discharge, especially bloody
scaly, reddened, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark skin around the nipple)
A depression in the breast that looks like an orange peel, called the orange peel sign.
The test used to detect and diagnose male breast cancer.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical examination and medical history: Tests for general health signs of the body, including any signs of disease, such as lumps or other abnormalities. The patient’s health habits and history of previous illnesses and treatments are also collected.
Clinical breast examination (CBE): This is an exam performed by a doctor or other medical professional who will carefully examine the breast and underarm area for lumps and abnormalities.
Mammogram: An x-ray of the breast.
Ultrasound: An examination performed with the help of high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) that bounce and produce echoes in the internal tissues or organs. These echoes form a picture of the body’s tissues, which we call a sonogram, that can be printed out for viewing.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):A technique that uses magnets, radio waves, and a computer to image both breasts in a series of details. This procedure is also known as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
Blood chemistry test: A blood sample is taken to detect certain substances that are released into the bloodstream by organs and tissues. Abnormal values (higher or lower than normal) may be a sign of disease.
Biopsy:A sample of cells or tissue is removed so that a pathologist can look at it under a microscope and check for signs of cancer. There are four types of biopsies for breast cancer:
Excisional biopsy:Removal of the entire tissue mass.
Cut biopsy: removal of a portion of the mass or tissue sample
Hollow needle aspiration biopsy: tissue is removed with a coarse needle.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy:Removal of tissue or fluid with a fine needle
Once cancer cells are found, a cancer cell detection study is performed.
With the test results known, the best treatment can be designed. These tests can tell us this information:
How fast the cancer cells will grow.
How likely it is that the cancer will spread throughout the body.
How effective certain treatments are.
How likely it is that the cancer will come back.
Tests include the following:
Estrogen and progesterone receptor tests:Tests that detect the number of estrogen and progesterone (hormone) receptors in cancer tissue. If there are more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal, this cancer is said to be estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive. This type of breast cancer may grow more quickly. The results of the test will show whether treatment that blocks estrogen and progesterone can stop the cancer from growing.
HER2 test:A laboratory test that measures how many HER2/neu genes are present in a tissue sample and how much HER2/neu protein is present. If there are more HER2/neu genes or higher than normal levels of HER2/neu protein, this cancer is called HER2/neu positive. This type of breast cancer may grow more quickly and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. This type of cancer can be treated with drugs that target the HER2/neu protein, such as trastuzumab and patuximab.
Breast cancer survival rates are about the same for men and women.
When men and women with breast cancer are at the same diagnostic stage, both have similar survival rates. However, men with breast cancer are often diagnosed at a later stage, which can make them less likely to be cured.
There are a number of factors that affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and choice of treatment options.
Prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
The stage of the cancer (how large the tumor is and whether it is only in the breast, or has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body).
The type of breast cancer.
The levels of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the tumor tissue.
Whether cancer cells are also found in other mammary glands.
The age and health status of the man.
Whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or recurrent