Male Breast Cancer

A pleasant 60 year old obese male presented to my office with complaints of a left breast lump for the past several months. He described it as tender and firm. There was no redness or pus. It was near his nipple area. He has no family history of breast cancer. His medical history was unremarkable. He does have a 30 year history of tobacco use. Upon examination, a 2 cm mass was palpated and minimally tender. He was sent for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The results came back highly suspicious for tumor and he was promptly referred to surgery for biopsy. His results are pending.

Male breast cancer is rare. About 1% of breast cancers occur in men. About 2000 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 with approximately 400 deaths. Typically, male breast cancer occurs between the ages of 60 and 70 with the median age being 67.

Risk factors include:
1. Age
2. Obesity
3. Heavy alcohol use
4. Liver disease
5. Hormone usage
6. Klinefelter Syndrome (chromosomal disorder)
7. Strong family history of breast cancer
8. Radiation exposure
9. High estrogen levels (from obesity, alcohol, hormone use, etc...)

Signs and symptoms include:
1. Lump
2. Nipple pain
3. Nipple discharge
4. Enlarged lymph nodes under the armpit
5. Changes to the breast skin such as redness, dimples, scaling...
6. Nipple soreness
7. Nipple inversion

Diagnosis is made by mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy.
The most common type of male breast cancer is infiltrating ductal carcinoma.

Treatment depends on the staging/severity. It may consist of mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and/or hormone therapy.

Male breast cancer is very similar to female breast cancer. Prognosis and remission rates are virtually identical and is based on the staging and extent of the cancer.

Two ways to prevent this rare disease is to maintain a healthy weight and to drink alcohol in moderation.

Talk to your health care professional for more information.

Thank you and have a nice day.