Typically self-examination leads to the detection of a lump in the breast which requires further investigation. Other less common symptoms include nipple discharge, nipple retraction, swelling of the breast, or a skin lesion such as an ulcer. Ultrasound and mammography may be used for its further definition. The lump can be examined either by a needle biopsy where a thin needle is placed into the lump to extract some tissue or by an excisional biopsy where under local anesthesia a small skin cut is made and the lump is removed. Not all palpable lesions in the<unk>  breast are cancerous, for instance a biopsy may reveal a benign fibroadenoma. In a larger study from Finland the average size of a<unk>  lesion was 1.8 cm. Beside the histologic examination estrogen and progesterone receptor studies are performed. Further, the HER2 test is used to check for a growth factor protein. Its activity can be increased in active cancer cells and helps determine if monoclonal antibody therapy (i.e. Trastuzumab) may be useful.<unk>  can recur locally after therapy, or can become metastatic. Staging In addition to TNM staging surgical staging for breast cancer is used; it is the same as in female breast cancer and facilitates treatment and analysis. Stage I Stage I is an invasive breast cancer with the tumor not exceeding 2 cm and absence of lymph node involvement. Stage II Stage II includes stages IIA and IIB. Stage IIA One of the following three items applies: * T0 or T1, N1 (but not N1mi), M0: The tumor is 2 cm or less across (or is not found) (T1 or T0) and either: * It has spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes (N1a), but not to distant sites (M0), or * Tiny amounts of cancer are found in internal mammary lymph nodes on sentinel lymph node biopsy (N1b), but not in distant sites (M0), or * It has spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes, and tiny amounts of cancer are found in internal mammary lymph nodes on sentinel lymph node biopsy (N1c), but not to distant sites (M0), or * T2, N0, M0: The tumor is larger than 2 cm across and less than 5 cm (T2), but it hasn't spread to the lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). Stage IIB Either of the following applies: * T2, N1, M0: The tumor is larger than 2 cm and less than 5 cm across (T2). It has spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes and/or tiny amounts of cancer are found in internal mammary lymph nodes on sentinel lymph node biopsy (N1). It has not spread to distant sites (M0), or * T3, N0, M0: The tumor is larger than 5 cm across but does not grow into the chest wall or skin (T3). It has not spread to lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). Stage III Stage III is divided into three subcategories: *In IIIA there is breast cancer with axillary lymph nodes clumped together or attached to other structures. *In IIIB the tumor has spread to the chestwall or skin, and may have involved lymph nodes of the axilla and/or breastbone. *In IIIC the tumor has spread to the chest wall or skin and lymph nodes below or above the collar bone are affected. Stage IV Stage IV is applied to metastatic breast cancer; typically lungs, liver, bone, or brain are involved. Differences from female breast cancer There are significant differences between<unk>  and female breast cancer in terms of physical symptoms, physiological and psychological responses, and experiences in health care. Lesions are easier to find in<unk> s due to the smaller breast size; however, lack of awareness may postpone the seeking of medical attention. The presence of gynecomastia may mask the condition. The diagnosis is made later in<unk> s—at age 67 on average—than in females with their average at 63. Lesions are less contained in<unk> s as they do not have to travel far to infiltrate skin, nipple, or muscle tissue. Thus, lesions in<unk> s tend to be more advanced. Almost half of<unk>  patients are stage III or IV. In familial cases,<unk>  BRCA2 carriers are at higher risk, rather than BRCA1 carriers. With the relative infrequency of<unk> , randomized studies are lacking.
Male breast cancer
Breast cancer
Pre-cancer of the breast
Mule spinners' cancer
Prostate cancer
Cancer survivor
Ovarian cancer
Cervical cancer