Symptoms of breast cancer in men

It is important for both men and women to know the symptoms of breast cancer in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 about 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States and 410 men will die from breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor (a tumor that will grow uncontrollably without treatment) that starts from breast cells. Breast cancer occurs mostly in women, but men can have breast cancer too. Because men have breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are a mass located just below the nipple, skin changes around the nipple and sometimes, discharge from the nipple. The mass is usually firm and painless. There may be no symptoms other than the mass. The skin changes can include ulceration of the skin, puckering, redness or scaling of the nipple, or the nipple turning inward.

Breast cancer symptoms become more detectable as a tumor grows and affects surrounding tissue and breast structure. As cancer spreads, more than the breast may be affected. When cancer spreads to other tissues it is referred to as metastatic breast cancer.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer depend on the affected area and how far cancer has spread. For example, if the affected area is the breast or chest wall, symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, changes in the breast size, shape, or skin, pain in the chest wall, and nipple discharge.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer affecting the bones may include pain or fractures in the hips, back or sternum, constipation, tiredness, and feeling less alert. Shortness of breath, cough, difficulty breathing, chest wall pain, and extreme fatigue are common symptoms of metastatic breast cancer affecting the lungs. Liver symptoms also include nausea, swelling of the abdomen, legs, and feet, and yellowing, itchy skin. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer in the brain are the pain (including headaches), confusion or memory loss, vision changes, difficulty speaking, understanding speech, standing, moving or walking, and sometimes seizures.

Know the symptoms of breast cancer in men to improve the opportunity for early diagnosis. Learn the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer to avoid the dangers of cancer spreading to other vital organs without further treatment. Seek medical advice if you notice unexplained changes in your breast.