Male breast cancer

Male breast cancer is exceptionally rare and only accounts for less than 0.25% of male malignancies and ~0.5-1% of all breast cancer (both genders). The diagnosis is sometimes delayed due to the patient's hesitancy to seek advice. Workup from a radiological point of view is the same as for women, including the use of needle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Epidemiology

The average age of diagnosis of male breast cancer is 60-70 years, which is later than female breast cancer. 

Clinical presentation

Most commonly, men present with a painless subareolar mass. Male breast cancer is also reported to present at a relatively advanced stage compared with female breast cancer ⁸.

Pathology

Histologically, the vast majority are invasive ductal carcinoma (85-90%) or ductal carcinoma in situ. 

Risk factors

Recognized risk factors include ⁹:

• exposure to ionizing radiation: especially to the chest wall

• cryptorchidism

• testicular injury / infectious orchitis

• increased levels of estradiol

  • consider this risk in transgender patients

• Klinefelter syndrome

• liver dysfunction: cirrhosis

• prostate cancer

• family history: ~30% of cases can have a positive family history

• chest trauma

• longevity ¹⁰

• obesity

• certain racial groups: may have a comparatively higher incidence

• BRCA2 gene mutation ²

Please note gynecomastia is not a risk factor per se.

Location

• can occur anywhere within the breast but favors the subareolar area or the upper outer quadrant

• favors a slightly eccentric location relative to the nipple ⁷

Genetics

The genetic predisposition for breast cancer can be inherited from both mother and father. First line family history includes both genders.

Radiographic features

Mammography

Typically seen as a subareolar mass (often round, oval, or lobulated) and at times can be masked by the presence of concurrent gynecomastia ³. Calcifications tend to be fewer in number and coarser than in female breast cancer ¹.

Treatment and prognosis

The overall prognosis tends to be worse than for female breast cancer, possibly due to the fact that men seek medical attention for the mass at later stages (i.e. when the mass has already become palpable).