Types of breast cancer in men
What is male breast cancer?
Male breast cancer is when cancer develops in the small amount of breast tissue in a man. Breast cancer in men is rare, but it is possible. Male breast cancer is less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
While men’s average risk of breast cancer is low, awareness and early diagnosis are still important. Talk to your doctor if you have risk factors or notice any signs of male breast cancer. Our team offers many resources and treatment options to connect you with needed care.
Several types of breast cancer can develop in male breast tissue, many of which are the same in females. The most common type of breast cancer found in males is invasive ductal carcinoma—making up as many as 90% of cases. While rare, it’s also possible for males to have invasive lobular carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ or inflammatory breast cancer.
If you have a breast cancer diagnosis, your provider will help you understand your specific type of cancer. This is important because your care team has many options to target your care based on the type and stage of male breast cancer you have.
Male breast cancer symptoms
Because males are less likely to routinely look for breast cancer symptoms through steps like a breast self-exam, symptoms can go unnoticed for longer. That’s why awareness of the condition and the symptoms of breast cancer in men, especially those with an increased risk, is so important.
As with breast cancer in any person, the most common sign of male breast cancer is a lump in the breast tissue. In men, this is often felt right under the nipple area. Many conditions can cause a breast lump, and often a lump isn’t cancer, but you should always bring up a new lump with your doctor to get checked.
Along with a breast lump, other symptoms to watch for include:
- Breast pain or nipple pain
- A lump in the armpit area
- Any changes in how your nipple looks or nipple discharge
- Changes in the appearance or shape of the breast area
- Redness, scaling or a rash around the nipple or breast skin
Causes and risk factors of male breast cancer
For most males, the average risk of breast cancer is very low—about 1 in 1,000. Certain conditions, genetic mutations, natural aging, exposure to radiation or factors like family history can put you more at risk for male breast cancer. But it’s possible to develop male breast cancer without any risk factors. Often, the exact cause of male breast cancer isn’t known.
Hereditary factors can play a role in breast cancer for both males and females. Men with a strong family history of breast cancer, including male breast cancer, may consider asking about genetic counseling to help them better understand their risk. It’s estimated that about 5-10% of male breast cancer diagnoses have a genetic link.
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Breast MRI or magnetic resonance imaging uses radio waves and magnets to provide pictures of your breast tissue from many different angles. Sometimes, you’ll need an injection of dye, or contrast, during this imaging procedure.
Diagnosing breast cancer in men
When you have signs or symptoms of male breast cancer, your doctor may want to do additional testing to diagnose your condition. Several other conditions can cause symptoms similar to those found in male breast cancer, so a clear picture of your breast tissue and health will help guide your care.
Many diagnostic tests and tools used to evaluate signs of breast cancer in men are the same as those used for any person with breast cancer symptoms. Your doctor may start with an imaging test to closely examine the breast tissue. These imaging tests don’t diagnose male breast cancer but can help decide if you need other testing. The right test for you will depend on your symptoms, risk, age and more.
Mammogram
While screening mammograms aren’t usually recommended for men, those who have symptoms may have a diagnostic mammogram. This test uses X-rays to create images of the breast tissue to look for signs of a breast condition.
Ultrasound
A breast ultrasound is another imaging test that helps provide more information about the symptoms of breast cancer in men. Images are created using sound waves; this test may help identify a cyst versus a solid mass in the breast tissue.
Biopsy
You may have a breast biopsy if you have male breast cancer symptoms. Often, a biopsy follows other tests, such as a mammogram. There are several types of breast biopsies, such as a needle biopsy or ultrasound guided biopsy. Every kind of biopsy takes a small sample of the tissue in your breast and sends it to the lab to help diagnose your condition.
Additional imaging tests
You may have additional imaging tests, especially if diagnosed with male breast cancer. Some other imaging tests that help diagnose and stage cancer include:
- CT scan, which can look for tumors outside of your breast tissue
- Bone scan, which uses a small amount of radioactive dye to look for signs of cancer in the bones
- PET scan, or positron emission tomography scan, which provides images of the body using a radioactive tracer
Treatment for breast cancer in men
If you are diagnosed with male breast cancer, rest assured you’re not alone. You have options and support. Treatments for breast cancer continue to advance, and treatment plans are targeted to your specific type of cancer. Your care team will include doctors and other healthcare providers from multiple specialties who work together to care for you.
Your specific treatment will depend on your type of male breast cancer, the cancer stage and other health factors. Some treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy. Through our dedicated research institute, we also provide options for people with a breast cancer diagnosis to enroll in a clinical trial as part of their care.
Our breast imaging centers near you
We offer several locations for your care, including imaging centers with tests for male breast cancer symptoms and numerous cancer treatment centers in North and Central Texas.
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Finding support as a man with breast cancer
If you have a male breast cancer diagnosis, our team provides you with support for each step of your care and recovery. We offer several cancer support resources, including cancer support groups available to anyone with a cancer diagnosis and their families.
Our patient navigators and social work services are here to connect you with the resources you need to help navigate your care easier. We also offer programs and services that care for you as a whole person—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.