Diagnosing Breast Cancer In Men

Often, breast cancer is considered a condition that afflicts females only. Unfortunately, men can also develop this ailment. It is rare, however, with only 1% of all breast cancers occurring in men. Much like women, men also possess breast tissue but never realize they too could develop breast cancer. Generally, elderly males are more prone to this cancer. The average age of males with breast cancer is 68 and, as in the case of women, the risk rises with age.

Men with Klinefelter syndrome – a common genetic chromosomal disorder in men occurring when a man is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome – have lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and higher levels of oestrogen (female hormones). Males possessing the highest oestrogen levels in their blood run a greater risk of developing breast cancer than those with lower levels. Men with a strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations can also run a higher risk of male breast cancer. Moreover, if a man has been treated with radiation to the chest, the chances of developing breast cancer could increase.

The most common breast cancer symptom is a lump in the breast, typically close to the nipple as most of the breast tissue in men lies beneath this. Nonetheless, it can develop away from the nipple too. Usually, cancerous breast lumps are painless. In rare cases, though, it can hurt. Other symptoms of male breast cancer include the inverted nipple (turned inwards), nipple discharge (a liquid or fluid, often blood-stained, emerging from the nipple), soreness in the nipple and areola and, occasionally, enlarged lymph nodes under the armpit.

If a man experiences any of the above symptoms, he should check with a cancer specialist in Agra if any physical examinations are required, followed by one or more of these tests:

• Mammogram or Mammo-sonography (an X-ray of the breast tissue) may be undertaken to discover any lump.
• Pathology – Cytopathology: screening tools to detect precancerous lesions.
• Needle biopsy for Histopathology: uses a fine needle and syringe to take one or more samples of breast cells.
• Immunohistochemistry: a special staining process performed on fresh or frozen breast cancer tissue, removed during biopsy.
• Genetic profile: to help in diagnosing the disease.
• Radiology procedures: Chest X-Ray, USG abdomen, whole body PET-CT.

In males, the treatment for breast cancer mainly depends on how far it has spread. Possible treatments include:

1. Multimodality approach – detecting, diagnosing and treating breast cancer.
2. Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Hormone Therapy and Biological Therapy.

Compared to female breast cancer, male breast cancer has an inferior prognosis. Males may be less likely than females to report their symptoms, which leads to delay in diagnosis. Therefore, it is recommended that even males undertake a breast self-examination each month. Regular breast cancer screening is only recommended for men at higher risk due to an inherited gene mutation or a strong family history of the rare ailment.