Though rarely found, cancer of male’s breast is a serious issue for American Cancer Society. The study conducted on this disease was based upon the symptoms of male breast cancer, which has resulted in dividing the cancer into different types.
What are the types of male breast cancer?
The study done this particular cancer has revealed that, 85 percent of male breast cancer is due to presence of estrogen receptors on the cell membranes of breast. These receptors allow the binding of the estrogen molecules to the cancerous cells, which in turn stimulates the cell multiplication and growth. Following are the types of breast cancer in men:
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Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma:
This is the most common type of breast cancer in male as well as in females. This cancer is referred to the cancer which originates from the tubular structure (known as ducts) of breast. The word infiltrating describes the spread of the cancer beyond the ducts and into the surrounding tissues.
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Breast Lobular Cancer:
This is the uncontrolled division of milk glands cell and is very rare in men as their breast tissue hardly contains lobules. This cancer is more common in females.
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In situ Ductal Carcinoma:
This is an uncommon type of cancer in men and is referred to the cancer of ducts which has not spread to other tissues other than the ducts.
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Cystosarcoma Phylloides:
This is a type of breast connective tissue cancer which surrounds the ducts.
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Paget’s disease:
This is the uncontrolled division of skin cells surrounding the nipple region of the male breast.
There are few other types of breast cancer in men which are named depending on the microscopic appearance and growth patterns of cancerous cells. They are:
- Medullary carcinoma
- Papillary carcinoma
- Inflammatory carcinoma
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer?
The average and normal size of the breast cancer in men was found to be 2.5cm in diameter. The signs and symptoms of male breast cancer are as follows:
- Firm and non-painful tissue mass which is just below the nipple region. This is the most common sign for breast cancer other than the other associated symptoms.
- This cancer leads to changes in the skin texture and color which surrounds the nipple area. These changes includes dimpling or puckering of skin, ulceration of skin, retraction of nipples, scaling and redness of nipples and blood like opaque discharge from the nipple (which occurs in chronic cases). Only 1% of the cases have show bilateral influence (symptoms on both sides).
- If the breast cancer has metastasized till the bones, then the patient will experience bone pain at the site of cancer.
- Chronic cases of male breast cancer have shown weight loss, weakness and malaise as well.
What are the Diagnostic Methods to confirm this Cancer?
There are various methods to confirm this ailment, which includes:
- Biopsy: This is the best way to diagnose this cancer, which is done by collecting tissue specimens. Since, breast tissue is very less and concentrated in men, it is easily palpable and accessible for biopsy.
There are 3 different ways for doing biopsy:
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Needle Biopsy:
This is also known as fine needle aspiration. A thin needle is injected into the tissue mass and a small portion of the tissue mass is extracted. This is then sent for microscopic examination to the pathologist.
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Incisional Biopsy:
Removing a portion of mass from the cancerous site.
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Excisional Biopsy:
Removing the tissue entirely from the breast mass.
- Microscopic examination of nipple discharge is done for more confirmation.
- Imagine Studies: Diagnostic methods such as CT scan, X-rays, MRI and ultra sounds along with the bone scans are done to evaluate the extent of the cancerous disease if the initial diagnosis of male breast cancer has been confirmed.
Any smallest lump or mass of tissues around the breast area of male should not be neglected. They should go for the initial diagnostic methods for confirming the ailment. This will help in the early start of the treatment.
