MALE
BREAST CANCER- Men Have it Too.
On July 1, 2004, a national study will be released
that will alert us to the growing prevalence of male breast cancer in the United
States.
Once thought of as a nonexistent disease, the study will confirm that men do
get breast cancer. In fact, nearly 1,600 men are diagnosed each year in the United
States alone. The new study will further show that the incidence of male breast
cancer has risen about 25% in the past 25 years.
Let's take a closer look at male breast cancer.
What is male breast cancer? Just like in women, male
breast cancer is a malignant tumor of the tissue in the cells of the breast.
Men do have ducts in the breast
just like women, but the tissue is not as pronounced due to the male hormones
that control the their growth. This tissue or the nipple can become cancerous.
Is this similar to female breast cancer? Yes. There
are many similarities between male and female breast cancers. Women are at least
one hundred times more affected
than males. Also, at the present, there is much greater awareness and sensitivity
for female breast cancer. Due to the growing incidence of male breast cancer,
health care providers are addressing this issue with males.
The types of cancers between men and women are the same. Adenocarcinoma is the
most common form of breast cancer. There are many different descriptions used
based on location and extent of the cancer. For example, carcinoma-in-situ is
more localized in the breast as opposed to infiltrating or invasive carcinoma.
There are a variety of subforms of adenocarcinoma and this will further be defined
in the lab.
What are the risks for male breast cancer? It is not clear what actually causes
male breast cancer. Researchers continue to study the exact causes of male breast
cancer. It is known what associated risk factors will predispose a man to developing
breast cancer.
It is known that the aging process increases the risk for male breast cancer.
The average age of a man with the diagnosis is 68 years, as opposed to 63 years
for a woman. Male breast cancer has been diagnosed from ages 5 to 93 years.
The second most common risk factor is genetics. A positive family history of
male and female breast cancer significantly increases one's risk for this disease
process. There are a variety of genes that that can mutate and lead to the development
of the cancer.
Some other known risk factors that are associated with the development of male
breast cancer include exposure to radiation. This may be related to radiation
treatment for other cancers. Men with liver disease have an alteration in proteins
that carry sex hormones. It is known that alterations in sex hormones such as
testosterone can be associated with the development of this cancer. Also, hormonal
treatment with estrogen may increase the risk as well.
How is it diagnosed? Male and female breast cancers follow
the same diagnostic process. A comprehensive history and physical examination
are essential. The
presence of a lump, a draining sore, or a change in the nipple may be an indication
of an underlying cancer. Early diagnosis leads to a better outcome whereby the
five-year survival rate is 98-99% in these cases. Diagnostic testing may include
some laboratory studies and X-rays. A mammogram or ultrasound of the tumor will
help localize the problem.
Once this is done, a needle biopsy or surgical biopsy will confirm the diagnosis.
A pathologist, who will make the final specimen diagnosis, will evaluate the
tissue in the lab.
What is the treatment? Just like with women, the treatment
is very similar. This may include surgical removal of the tumor or the breast.
Lymph nodes will be
assessed and chemotherapy may be recommended. Additionally, radiation may be
another modality used to treat the cancer. Depending on the type of tumor, long-term
hormonal therapy may be indicated as well.
An Oncologist, a physician specializing in the treatment of cancer, will determine
all of these treatment protocols. There are numerous regimens that can be used
based on the type of cancer.
What else should I do? Contrary to popular thought,
males do develop breast cancer. In the event that a lump is felt on and around
the breast, it must be thoroughly
investigated. This is a very serious disease, but if caught early, the chances
of survival are great.
The National Cancer Institute offers a good website for additional articles on
the incidence of male breast cancer and tips for talking with your. Visit http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
