Diagnosis, Signs and Symptoms
The diagnosis of male breast cancer is confirmed with needle biopsy.
Signs and Symptoms
Clinical features of male breast cancer include the following:
- A male breast cancer is often detected as a painless lump or thickening in the breast tissue.
- The skin covering the breast may show changes such as dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling.
- Nipple discharge is another symptom.
- Redness or scaling of the nipple or turning in of the nipple may be observed.
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Diagnosis
- A clinical breast exam is done to assess the lump. The doctor also examines for cancer spread by looking for an enlarged liver or enlarged lymph nodes.
- Imaging modalities used include mammography (x-ray imaging of the breast) and ultrasound. Cases in which the cancer has spread may require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized axial tomography (CT-scans).
- Microscopic study of nipple discharge is also performed when required.
- A needle biopsy is done to confirm a diagnosis of male breast cancer. Cells or tissues from the lump are drawn using a needle and analyzed. A needle biopsy also helps to diagnose the type of cancer.
- Blood tests are performed as and when required.
Based on the results of the tests, male breast cancer is staged. The cancer has four stages; higher the stage, greater is the size and spread of the cancer. A stage IV tumor is one that has spread to distant areas, such as the
