Breast cancer is most commonly associated with women. But the menace does not seem to have any gender bias and can also affect the menfolk. Though it is not as prevalent as in women, male breast cancer does exist, and it can turn fatal if timely intervention is not available. Early diagnosis & treatment can significantly increase the probability of a cure.
A man’s breasts also have fatty tissues and cells in them. Breast cancer in men can develop in these breast tissues with the uncontrolled growth of cells, resulting in a tumor. Older men are at higher risk of getting breast cancer, but it can affect men of any age. The recommended treatments are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. It all depends upon the size and spread of the tumor to other body parts.
Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer
The common male breast cancer symptoms are as follows:
- A hard or thick lump in one of the breasts or in the armpits that is usually painless
- Physical changes in the surrounding skin area, such as enlarging, puckering, dimpling, or scaling
- Sudden pain or sensitivity in the breast or the underarm area
- Ulcers in the nipple, resulting in its hardening
- Inverting of the nipple
- Discharges of blood or fluid from the nipple(s)
Types of Breast Cancer in Men
The main types of male breast cancer are:
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: In this type, cancer begins in the male breast ducts that lie beneath the nipple and gradually spreads to the surrounding tissues in the breast. Invasive breast cancer can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood.
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): This is early-stage breast cancer and is not very common in men. It begins in the lining of the breast ducts but does not spread to the surrounding tissues or other body parts. Though it’s not serious, timely treatment is recommended.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Lobules are glands that produce milk. Cancer begins in these lobules and can quickly spread to the surrounding breast tissues and other body parts. As men do not have many lobules in their breasts, this form of cancer is rare.
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer: There is swelling and redness in the breast as cancer cells block the lymph vessels. This type of male breast cancer is also rare and is usually mistaken as an infection.
- Paget’s Nipple Disease: Cancerous cells arise in the breast ducts and then spread to the nipple and the areola region, i.e., the pigment surrounding the nipple. There is swelling and itching in the skin. Paget’s nipple disease is also called mammary Paget disease.
Factors Causing Breast Cancer in Men
It’s not very clear what causes breast cancer in men. But some of the risk factors for the disease include the following:
- Age: Older men (aged 60+) have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. The disease is extremely rare among younger men.
- Poor Health: Obesity in men can lead to Gynecomastia or enlarging of male breasts. This heightens the risk of breast cancer. Liver diseases such as Cirrhosis also increase the risk of developing breast cancer symptoms.
- Hereditary Factors: Men who have close relatives and family members with breast cancer stand a higher risk of getting the disease.
- Genes: Genetic mutations that cause a permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene also increase the chance of breast cancer in men. Mutations in the BRCA gene (BRCA 1 & BRCA 2) are primarily responsible for this disease.
- Estrogen Levels: Higher estrogen levels in the body or factors that contribute to its rise can increase the chance of breast cancer in males. For e.g., Liver cirrhosis increases estrogen levels. Certain drugs used to treat prostate cancer causes estrogen to rise. Highly obese men are said to have abnormal estrogen levels.
- Occupational Hazards: Men working in manufacturing or chemical factories who are exposed to extreme heat and hazardous chemicals have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Extreme heat can damage the testicles and increase estrogen levels.
- Radiation: Prolonged exposure to radiation, such as radiation therapy in the chest region, increases the risk of male breast cancer.
Also Read: How Prognostic Tests guide treatment of Breast Cancer
Diagnosis of Male Breast Cancer
The doctor may specifically enquire about the male breast cancer symptoms and then suggest a number of diagnostic tests & procedures to be carried out:
- Clinical Examination: The doctor physically examines the breasts to check for any lump or other unusual changes. The doctor checks for any pain in the region or for signs of a growing lump.
- Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast tissue is done to see for any change that is abnormal.
- Ultrasound Scan: In this procedure, clear images of the breast tissues are produced using high-frequency sound waves. This is similar to scans carried out during pregnancy.
- Biopsy: If the mammogram or an ultrasound scan points to any abnormalities, a biopsy is suggested to either confirm or rule out any possibility of male breast cancer. In this procedure, a needle is inserted under local anesthesia to remove a small number of tissues from the breast area. The samples are then sent for laboratory examination to check the presence of cancerous cells.
- Staging: After diagnosing breast cancer, it is important to determine the extent of its spread or to know to what stage the disease has progressed. A staging procedure is useful in this regard. A CT scan, PET scan, or bone scan may be recommended for staging. Breast cancer stages range between 0 to 4th. If cancer is still at an early stage, it is possible to cure it completely.
Treatment for Male Breast Cancer
The exact treatment depends upon the type of breast cancer and to what stage it has progressed. The treatments include:
- Surgery: A surgery called mastectomy is performed to remove the entire breast. Surgery may also be required to remove the lymph nodes in the armpit.
- Radiation: It is usually done after surgery to prevent the resurgence of cancer cells. Targeted radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy, certain medications are used to kill cancerous cells. It may be given in the form of tablets (oral chemo) or injections (intravenous chemo), or a combination of both to stop the multiplication of cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy: If breast cancer in males is hormone sensitive, hormone therapy is recommended either as tablets or injections. The medication helps to lower estrogen levels or to prevent its effects.
- Medicines: Specific medicines are prescribed by specialists to kill cancerous cells or to prevent their growth. A very popular drug that is prescribed is Trastuzumab. This procedure is also called targeted therapy.
Also Read: Cervical Cancer Screening – What women should know?
Conclusion
Although breast cancer in men is quite uncommon, it is prudent for men to stay cautious as they grow older. The risk of developing this disease can be significantly lowered by way of maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided. If any of the male breast cancer symptoms are visible, rush to the family physician or the local hospital immediately.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
