Male Breast Cancer

Although rare, male breast cancer does occur -- usually in men between the ages of 60 and 70. Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, having a disease related to high levels of estrogen in the body (such as cirrhosis), and a family history of breast cancer in female relatives. Male breast cancer is staged the same as it is in women. Unfortunately, most cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed at a later stage than most cases of breast cancer in women.

 

Male Breast Cancer: An Overview

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

Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer

Risk factors for male breast cancer include the following:
 
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Having a disease related to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder)
  • Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have an alteration of the BRCA2 gene.
     

Causes of Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations. Most often, however, the cause of male breast cancer is not known.
 

Diagnosing Male Breast Cancer

A doctor should be seen if changes in the breasts are noticed. Typically, men with breast cancer have lumps that can be felt.
 
A biopsy can be done to check for male breast cancer. The following are different types of biopsies:
 
  • Needle biopsy: The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
  • Core biopsy: The removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue using a wider needle.
  • Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire lump or suspicious tissue.
     
After the tissue or fluid has been removed, a pathologist (someone who studies diseases) views it under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
 

Staging Male Breast Cancer

After male breast cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. This process is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the male breast cancer. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.
 
Male breast cancer is staged the same as it is in women (see Stages of Breast Cancer).
 
The spread of cancer from the breast to lymph nodes and other parts of the body appears to be similar in men and women.
 

Prognosis for Male Breast Cancer

Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to that for women with breast cancer when their stage at diagnosis is the same. Breast cancer in men, however, is often diagnosed at a later stage. Cancer found at a later stage may be less likely to be cured.
 
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and male breast cancer treatment options depend on the following:
 
  • The stage of the cancer (whether it is in the breast only or has spread to other places in the body)
  • The type of breast cancer
  • Certain characteristics of the cancer cells
  • Whether the cancer is found in the other breast
  • The patient's age and general health.
     

Recurrent Male Breast Cancer

Recurrent breast cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the breast, in the chest wall, or in other parts of the body.
 

Male Breast Cancer: Summary

Important points to remember regarding male breast cancer include:
 
  • Male breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast
  • Radiation exposure, high levels of estrogen, and a family history of breast cancer can affect a man's risk of developing male breast cancer
  • Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations (changes)
  • Tests that examine the breasts are used to detect and diagnose male breast cancer
  • Survival for men with breast cancer is similar to survival for women with breast cancer
  • Certain factors affect the prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD