Male Breast Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Male Breast Cancer?
A breast surgeon (a surgeon who treats breast cancer) and a medical oncologist (a cancer doctor who uses medicines) usually lead care. A radiation oncologist, a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer, often joins the team. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is male breast cancer?
Male breast cancer is breast cancer that develops in men. Breast cancer is much more common in women, but men can get it too because they also have breast tissue where cancer can start. Fewer than 1 in 100 breast cancers in the United States occur in men.
Symptoms
Signs of breast cancer in men include:
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast, which is the most common sign.
- A nipple that changes shape or the direction it points, or that turns inward.
- Fluid from the nipple that may be clear or bloody.
- An open sore (ulcer) in the skin of the breast.
- Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola.
- Dimpling or ridges on the skin that look like an orange peel.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone.
Breast lumps usually are not cancer. However, most men with breast cancer have lumps. Many breast changes in men are signs of less serious conditions.
Causes and who gets it
It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man may have a higher risk of breast cancer if he has:
- Past radiation therapy to the chest.
- One or more female relatives who have had breast cancer.
- Inherited changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, or in other genes that raise breast cancer risk.
- A condition linked to higher-than-normal estrogen levels, such as Klinefelter syndrome, liver disease (cirrhosis), or obesity.
How doctors diagnose it
If a man has symptoms, the doctor must find out whether cancer or another condition is the cause. The doctor may:
- Do a physical exam, including a clinical breast exam.
- Do imaging tests, such as a breast ultrasound and mammogram.
- Do a breast biopsy, usually a core biopsy.
If it is cancer, more tests may follow. Biomarker tests check the cancer cells for hormone receptors and HER2 protein, which may help plan treatment. A bone scan checks to see if cancer has spread to the bones. Genetic testing looks for inherited changes in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 that raise breast cancer risk.
Treatment
Male breast cancer is usually treated the same way as breast cancer in women. Most men with breast cancer will have some type of surgery to remove the tumor. Men are more likely than women to have a mastectomy, which removes the whole breast, instead of a lumpectomy, because they have less breast tissue. Some men can have a lumpectomy, depending on the size of the cancer, the amount of breast tissue, and other factors.
Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Some men need these treatments before or after surgery, depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. If the cancer is hormone receptor positive, hormone therapy is usually advised to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. If the cancer is HER2-positive, a drug that targets HER2 is often advised along with chemotherapy. When the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, medicines are typically the main treatment.
When to see a doctor
Check with your doctor if you notice any unusual breast changes. Do not ignore a lump or thickening in or near the breast, bloody fluid from the nipple, an open sore on the breast, or swollen lymph nodes under the arm.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A doctor like this can check a new breast lump and order imaging tests. They can also refer you to a cancer care team and help coordinate follow-up.
Common questions
Can men get breast cancer?
Yes, men can get breast cancer. It is much more common in women, but men also have breast tissue where cancer can start.
Does a breast lump in a man mean cancer?
Usually not. Breast lumps usually are not cancer. However, most men with breast cancer have lumps, so any lump should be checked by a doctor.
Is male breast cancer treated differently from breast cancer in women?
Mostly no, because it is usually treated the same way as breast cancer in women. One difference is that men are more likely to have a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy because they have less breast tissue.
What is the outlook for male breast cancer?
It depends on how far the cancer has spread when it is found. The 5-year relative survival rates are 95% for cancer only in the breast, 84% for cancer that spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, and 20% for cancer that spread to a distant part of the body.
Should men get screening mammograms?
Usually no, because screening mammograms are not usually recommended for men, even those at increased risk. A doctor may suggest watching for changes in your breast and getting regular clinical breast exams.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Breast Cancer in Men
- MedlinePlus - Male Breast Cancer
- American Cancer Society - Treating Breast Cancer in Men
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
