Breast Cancer in Men

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
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AMBULATORY CARE:

Breast cancer in men

usually starts in a duct. You may feel uncomfortable about talking to your healthcare provider if you notice changes or problems in your breasts. It is important to have changes and problems checked. Breast cancer is less common in men than in women, but men can get breast cancer. Breast cancer found early is easier to treat.

Common signs and symptoms include the following:

• Swelling or a lump in your breast, or swollen lymph nodes under your arm or near your collarbone
• Blood or clear discharge from your nipple
• Skin that is dimpled like an orange peel
• Nipple that looks like it has been pushed in
• Red or scaling skin on your nipple or breast

Call your local emergency department (911 in the US) if:

• You have chest pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
• You suddenly feel lightheaded or short of breath.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

Call your doctor or oncologist if:

• You have a fever.
• You have any new or different pain.
• You are vomiting and cannot keep food or liquids down.
• You are depressed or feel that you cannot cope with your illness.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Treatment

depends on the size of the tumor and if it has spread. Treatment also depends on your age and the type of breast cancer you have. Some types grow more slowly than others. Your healthcare provider will talk to you about the benefits and risks of treatments that might be right for you. Your provider will help you decide on treatment that best fits your needs and goals:

• Surgery is the most common treatment of breast cancer in men. Surgery may be used to remove your breast tissue. You may also need to have one or more lymph nodes removed. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about surgery for breast cancer in men.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-ray beams to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy medicines are used to kill cancer cells. You may receive one medicine or a combination of medicines.
• Inhibitor medicines may be given to help destroy the cancer cells. One medicine helps your immune system kill the cells. Another medicine makes the cells die by preventing them from being repaired. This helps keep cancer from progressing as quickly.
• Targeted therapy is medicine that finds markers on some cancer cells and kills the cells.
• Hormone medicine may be used if the cancer is sensitive to hormones.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Arimidex
• anastrozole
• Verzenio
• Ibrance
• Kisqali

View more treatment options

Breast checks

include the following:

• Breast self-exams mean you check your breasts for lumps and other changes every month. Contact your oncologist if you notice any breast changes. Ask for more information about how to do breast self-exams.
• Mammograms may be recommended if your risk for breast cancer is high. Ask if and how often you need a mammogram.

Manage breast cancer:

• Ask questions. You will receive a lot of information about breast cancer and treatment. Questions will help you understand the information better. You may not have questions until after your appointments. Write your questions down. Call or e-mail your doctor with any questions you have.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra body weight increases the risk for new or returning breast cancer. Ask your healthcare provider what a healthy weight is for you. Your provider can help you create a safe weight loss plan, if needed.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
• Drink liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Drink extra liquids to prevent dehydration. You will also need to replace fluid if you are vomiting or have diarrhea from cancer treatments.
• Exercise as directed. Ask your oncologist about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise may help decrease the side effects of treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness. It may also help improve your mood. Stop exercising if you feel pain in your chest, have trouble breathing, or feel dizzy. Do not exercise if you have a fever or if you had anticancer medicines through an IV in the last 24 hours.
• Do not smoke. Nicotine can damage blood vessels and make it more difficult to manage breast cancer. Smoking also increases your risk for new or returning cancer and delays healing after treatment. Do not use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in place of cigarettes or to help you quit. They still contain nicotine. Ask your provider for information if you currently smoke and need help quitting.
• Limit or do not drink alcohol as directed. Alcohol increases the risk for new or returning breast cancer. If you choose to drink, limit alcohol to 1 drink per day. A drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.
• Talk to your provider about family planning. Some types of treatment, such as chemotherapy, may affect your ability to father a child. Ask your provider about your options if you want to have children.

Follow up with your doctor or oncologist as directed:

You will need to see your oncologist for ongoing treatment and follow-up. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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