pathology

Last reviewed 01/2018

The male breast is mainly made up of rudimentary ductal elements which are encircled by stroma, adipose, and subcutaneous tissue. Lobular tissue (which is responsible for lactation in women) is not normally seen except in instances where the male is exposed to increased concentrations of oestrogen (1). 

Pathology of the disease is comparable with that of female breast cancer.

  • infiltrating ductal cancer is the most common tumor type - accounting for more than 93% of cancers (2)

  • intraductal cancer, Inflammatory carcinoma and Paget disease of the nipple have also been seen in men (1)

  • lobular carcinoma is rare (less than 2%) (2)

Male breast cancer is:

  • 80% oestrogen-receptor positive

  • 75% progesterone-receptor positive (3)

Reference: