|
Breast Cancer In Men
|
Breast cancer is a malignant tumour which has
developed from cells in the breast. Although breast cancer occurs
mainly in women, it can occasionally occur in men though this is
quite rare. Many people are not aware that men also have breast
tissue which can develop into breast cancer and this is given a very
low priority by the medical profession.
Prior to puberty, young girls and boys only have a
small amount of tissue in their breast which consists of only a few
tubular passages known as ducts. These are located under the areola
and the nipple. |
|
During
puberty, the girl’s ovaries produce female hormones which cause the ducts in
the breast to grow in preparation for lactation. The milk glands known as
lobules form at the end of these ducts, and fatty and connective tissue
known as stroma increases.
Hormones
which are produced by males’ testicles work in the opposite way and prevent
breast tissue from developing. So although men’s breast tissue does contain
ducts, it only has a few lobules.
A man’s
breast duct cells can develop cancerous changes, just like the rest of the
cells in his body. Because woman have more breast cells than men, breast
cancer is more common in women than men because their breast cells are
exposed to the effect of female growth hormones. The male hormone tends to
suppress this effect.
However
there are a lot of different types of breast disorders which can affect men
and women the same although most of them are benign. Benign tumours are not
cancerous and do not spread outside the breast. They are also not life
threatening though can cause concern. Malignant tumours are cancerous and
can be life threatening. (Benign tumours are particularly rare in men).
The
lymphatic vessels are an important part of the breast. However if breast
cancer occurs, they can be the biggest carrier of the cancerous cells.
The
lymphatic system carries the lymph which is a clear liquid containing tissue
fluid, the immune system cells and any waste products the body may be
disposing of.
Lymph
nodes are small oval shaped cells situated within the immune system and they
are located along the lymphatic vessels. Because the lymph system is so
efficient, it is possible for cancer cells to enter the lymphatic vessels
and spread to the lymph nodes extremely quickly this causing spread.
The majority of lymphatic vessels within the breast
connect to lymph nodes situated under the arm which are known as
axillary lymph nodes.
|
Some lymphatic vessels connect to lymph nodes
inside the chest which are known as internal mammary nodes and above
or below the collarbone, known as the supra or infraclavicular
nodes.
When cancer cells reach the axillary lymph nodes,
they may continue to grow. This causes the lymph nodes in that area
to swell. Should the breast cancer cells spread to the lymph nodes
under the arm, they are very likely to have spread to the other
organs of the body as well. This is known as metastic spread.
Therefore when choosing a suitable treatment, it is important to
establish whether the breast cancer has spread to the axillary lymph
nodes or whether it has been contained. |
|
|