Breast Cancer in Men

Memorial Sloan-Kettering physicians have treated large numbers of male breast cancer patients over several decades, and are now planning a national registry for men who have undergone treatment for breast cancer.

Male and female breast cancers do share many common features. However male breast cancer is unique in many respects.

The diagnosis of male breast cancer differs from that of female breast cancer in that mammography is not routinely performed on men. Therefore male breast cancer is almost invariably diagnosed by physical examination.

The treatment options for male breast cancer have evolved in a way that mirrors female breast cancer treatment. While male breast cancer was most commonly treated by radical mastectomy prior to the 1970's, since that time the surgical standard of care has become modified radical mastectomy.