Breast Cancer in Men

Although rare, there are cases of breast cancer in men -- usually in men between the ages of 60 and 70. Breast cancer in men has the same stages, treatment options, and prognosis as for women. Unfortunately, breast cancer in men is often detected later than it is in women.

 

Breast Cancer in Men: An Introduction

Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.
 
Men at any age can develop breast cancer, but it is usually found in men between 60 and 70 years of age.
 
Breast cancer in men makes up less than 1 percent of all cases of the disease. There were an estimated 1,690 new cases and 460 deaths from male breast cancer in the United States in 2005.
 

Types of Breast Cancer in Men

The following types of breast cancer are found in men:
 
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is a type of cancer that has spread beyond the cells lining the ducts in the breast. Most male breast cancer is this type of cancer.
 
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Ductal carcinoma in situ is a type of breast cancer in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a duct. It is also called intraductal carcinoma.
 
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen, and feels warm.
 
Paget's Disease of the Nipple
Paget's disease of the nipple is a tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.
 
(Breast Cancer in Men Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD