Male breast cancer: Expert insight on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

In this informative article, highly esteemed consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Ms Gael MacLean reveals the common symptoms of male breast cancer and sheds light on the diagnostic process. The leading specialist also discusses treatment, including the success of breast cancer surgery, and explains the importance of testing for genetic carriers of increased breast cancer risk.

What are the first symptoms of male breast cancer?

Male breast cancer accounts for less than one per cent of all breast cancers in the UK and that figure is also the same across Europe. The most common way that a case of male breast cancer comes to light is with a lump in the breast. Alternatively, nipple discharge may present as the first symptom.

How is male breast cancer diagnosed?

Male breast cancer is diagnosed in the same way as female breast cancer when a patient has a lump. If a man has a lump in or near the breast, they need to come to a rapid diagnosis clinic, where they can undergo imaging and a biopsy if required.

When men in come with a lump, they are assessed by a doctor in the clinic and will have an ultrasound scan. If the ultrasound shows something that requires a biopsy for microscopic analysis, they will have a biopsy at that time. The ultrasound also looks at the lymph nodes in the armpit to check that there is no concern there.

Does male breast cancer spread quickly?

It doesn't spread any more quickly than female breast cancer. Male breast cancer can sometimes be picked up on more quickly than female breast cancer because male breasts are generally smaller and therefore the lump is picked up sooner.

How is male breast cancer treated?

Once a man has been diagnosed with breast cancer, they are offered surgery to remove the cancer and also to check the lymph nodes for any microscopic spread. Any patient, male or female, who is diagnosed with breast cancer needs armpit surgery. This may be a small operation to check a couple of lymph nodes for microscopic spread, known as sentinel lymph node biopsy, or a larger operation where all of the lymph nodes are removed. This larger operation may be performed if the results of a biopsy show that there are already cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

Regarding the surgery to the breast, for men, a mastectomy removing the nipple is typically offered because male breast tissue itself is very small.

Does male breast cancer surgery have a high success rate?

Yes, male breast cancer does have a good success rate. It's very important for any man diagnosed with breast cancer that a family history is taken because sometimes the disease is a result of the patient being the carrier of a gene that increases the risk of breast cancer and so, it's very important to look into that. This is much more relevant in younger patients, specifically those under the age of 60.



If you wish to schedule a consultation with Ms MacLean, visit her Top Doctors profile today.