Male breast cancer usually ends in death. All because the cancer is diagnosed too late. Most men believe that breast cancer affects only women and ignore the early signs of cancer development. What are the causes and symptoms of male breast cancer? How is the treatment going? What's the prognosis?

Breast cancer in menusually leads to the death of the sick person. Gentlemen believe that this type of cancer affects only women, so they ignore the early symptoms of the disease. As a consequence, male breast cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease, i.e. when the cancer is more difficult to treat and gives a worse prognosis . Late diagnosis is also influenced by the lack of prevention of this cancer in men and little knowledge about it. Male breast cancer accounts for only one percent of cancer cases, so no attention is paid to this condition and the necessary scientific research is not carried out.

Every year, breast cancer is diagnosed in about 100 men (most often between the ages of 50 and 70), 50% of whom are diagnosed with breast cancer. dies. For comparison - annually this cancer is diagnosed in about 16,000 women, of which 5,000 are dies. This means that male mortality from breast cancer is significantly higher than that of women.

Male breast cancer - symptoms

Symptoms that should prompt a man to see a doctor as soon as possible are:

  • lump or lumps (usually painless, hard and immobile) in the breast or in the armpit
  • change in the size and shape of the breast (enlargement of one of the breasts or disturbance of the symmetry of the chest) or the appearance of the breast skin
  • changes in the appearance of the nipple
  • nipple leak
  • widening of veins on the chest or ulceration

Male breast cancer and gynecomastia

An enlarged breast or a disturbed chest symmetry may not always be an indication of this cancer. In such cases, gynecomastia may be suspected, a disease caused by an increase in the amount of estrogen (female sex hormone) or a decreased amount of androgen (male hormone) in the blood. Fortunately, it is not a he alth risk.

Male breast cancer - causes and risk factors

Breast cancer umen is most often the result of estrogens - female sex hormones. When their levels in the body increase at the expense of decreasing testosterone levels, the risk of developing cancer increases. This explains why breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men between the ages of 50 and 70, when male sex hormone levels are falling.

However, breast cancer can also appear in young men. For example, trauma to the testicles can contribute to the development of cancer, which can lead to excess estrogen in the body. There are also known cases of breast cancer in men working in the cosmetics industry, where they are exposed to creams containing estrogens. Cirrhosis of the liver, which leads to elevated estrogen levels, also increases the likelihood of male breast cancer developing.

Male breast cancer can also behereditary . So if someone in your family has had breast cancer (especially before the age of 50), the risk of developing the disease increases. Genetically determined form of male breast cancer is most often associated with the presence of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Men who abuse alcohol, are obese or suffer from diseases that affect the concentration of testosterone and estrogen in the blood (eg Klinefelter's syndrome) are also at risk. The likelihood of developing the disease also increases in the case of exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g. radiotherapy).

Male breast cancer - diagnosis

If breast cancer is suspected, the doctor will refer the patient to a breast ultrasound (the examination shows changes in the breast tissue) and possibly a biopsy, during which the breast cells or cyst fluid are collected for microscopic examination with a thin needle.

Male breast cancer - treatment

Treatment of breast cancer in menis analogous to that in women and depends on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.

Usually a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) is performed. Removal of the tumor by itself (with elevation of the breast) is usually not possible because there is little tissue in the breast and the tumor is usually located near the nipple. If the cancer has spread, nearby lymph nodes are also removed.

After the treatment, the doctor decides if further therapy is needed:

  • radiation therapy
  • chemotherapy
  • or hormone treatment

You may also need to take tamoxifen, a drug that inhibits cancer growth by blocking the effects of estrogen.

Male breast cancer - prognosis

Prognosis in menbreast cancer patients is similar to women. The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of healing and recovery.

Male breast cancer - complications

Male breast cancer may spread to other parts of the body, including to:

  • lungs
  • dice
  • liver
  • brain
  • support lymph nodes

Metastatic breast cancer has the lowest chance of survival.

Male breast cancer - prevention

The most important thing is to carefully observe your own body, i.e. breast self-examination. It looks the same as in women and involves checking with fingertips that there are no disturbing changes in the chest wall (near the nipples) and in the armpit.

CHECK>>Breast self-examination - how to self-examine the breasts?

A he althy lifestyle also reduces the risk of developing breast cancer in men. It means quitting smoking, consuming moderate amounts of alcohol, and a low-fat diet with more fiber, vegetables and fruits. Regular exercise is also helpful.

Also read:

  • Is every cancer cancer?
  • Cancer cell - how is it different from a he althy cell?
  • Cancer that is the easiest to treat

Category:

Oncology