Males are also at risk of developing breast cancer although the chance is very low, almost 1%. Because of its rarity, people are unaware about its symptoms and risks.
Let us discuss male breast cancer in details and its symptoms and cure also to increase awareness about it.
Both males and females have small amount of breast tissue since their birth. When they reach puberty, their breast structure changes due to interplay of different hormones. In girls, estrogen is responsible for growth of the ducts and lobules are developed. But in boys male hormones stifle the growth of breast tissues and lobules. The male breast is made up of small and underdeveloped ducts and small amount of connective tissues and fats.
Male breast cancer symptoms
Since men have less breast tissue compared to women, lump or any abnormality is easier to detect. Yet, since breast cancer in male is very rare, most men do not pay attention to the early symptoms of it and often pass them as infection or other causes. Often men feel embarrassed to visit a doctor when they develop breast lump.
The most common symptom of male breast cancer is development of lump just beneath the nipple. The lump is usually firm and does not cause pain. The skin around the nipple may undergo some changes like puckering, dimpling, retraction of the nipple and even scaling of the skin. Sometimes nipple discharge is also seen.
The cancer that has spread to the bones may cause pain. If the cancer has reached advanced stage, then normal signs of cancer like weight loss and weakness are experienced.
- Male-breast-cancer
Types of male breast cancer
- Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer of men. This type of cancer originates in the tubular structures and “infiltrating” signifies that the cancer has spread to the adjoining tissues.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ refers to cancer which has not spread beyond the ducts.
- Cystosarcoma phylloides occurs in the tissues surrounding the ducts.
- Paget’s disease refers to the cancer of the skin of the nipple.
Other than these, several types of breast cancer namely papillary carcinoma, inflammatory carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma are found in men.
Risk factors for male breast cancer
Several factors have been recognized which expose men to the risk of developing male breast cancer.
- Age is directly related to breast cancer
With age the risk of breast cancer increases in men. The average age of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer is 60 to 70 years.
- Genetic reason or hereditary
Studies have revealed that those men who have female relatives with breast cancer are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
- Radiation
Men who have been exposed to radiation for treating cancer in the chest are at higher risk.
- Liver disease
Liver plays a significant role in hormone metabolism. Men with liver diseases like cirrhosis have a tendency of having lower levels of male hormones and higher levels of female hormones. This acts as a risk factor.
- Hyperestrogenism
Under certain conditions men produce higher levels of estrogen. Such abnormal level of estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer. Often this happens when men are treated with estrogen to fight diseases like prostate cancer. Those men who undergo sex change take high levels of estrogen and thus exposing themselves to higher risks of breast cancer.
- Klinefelter’s syndrome
This is a rare condition where men inherit 2 or more X chromosomes from their mothers and thus have an abnormal sex chromosome makeup XXY. Patients of Klinefelter’s syndrome are characterized by sparse body and facial hair, high levels of estrogen, enlarged breasts and inability to produce sperm.
Research has revealed that men with Klinefelter’s syndrome have 50% higher risk of developing breast cancer than normal men.
Breast cancer diagnosis
The breast lump or any other abnormality is first examined with clinical breast exam. A full investigation of body is performed and family history is checked.
The physician may ask for mammogram to probe further. Other tests like, ultrasound or nipple discharge may also be performed. Breast biopsy may also be ordered. A biopsy is the only way to arrive at a conclusion about breast cancer.
Treatment of male breast cancer
Treatment will largely depend on the type and stage of breast cancer.
- Surgery is usually performed to remove lining of the chest muscles, the breast and chest wall muscles. The process is called modified radical mastectomy.
- Radiation therapy is done to prevent the cancer cells from growing and dividing.
- Chemotherapy is performed with anticancer drugs.
- Hormone therapy – More than 80% of male breast cancers have estrogen receptors. To block estrogen in the breast so that the growth of the cancer cells are hampered hormone therapy is done.
Chances of survival of male breast cancer are similar to female breast cancer. A five year survival rate study has shown that there is 100% chance in the first stage which gradually decreases to 24% in 4th stage.
Thus better awareness about male breast cancer will actually lead to timely diagnosis and increase chances of survival.
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