Breast Cancer in Males

Introduction

Most of the men thought that breast cancer only affects women and not men. They accept it as a truth that they are not at the risk of getting breast cancer. But this is not true; men are also at the risk of developing breast cancer. The main symptoms and signs of male breast cancer are given below.

Signs and symptoms

Breast lumps, swelling, dimpling around the breast area, nipple retraction, redness, scaling and nipple discharge are the main symptoms of breast cancer among males. The breast mass in men is much less than the women have, so in males breast cancer can easily affect the closer tissues than in females. That’s why these symptoms in males need not to ignore as these breast cancer in more dangerous in males than the females.

Risk factors

In the age of 60 men is more likely to develop breast cancer, so the main risk factor is advanced age. The other well-known risk factor is the family history. Liver disease can reduce the levels of androgen and can raise the levels of estrogen in males that make men more prone to the disease. Exposure to radiation can also develop breast cancer. Genetic mutations like Kleinfelters syndrome can also develop breast cancer in men.

Diagnosis

Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. If something appears abnormal, or better views are needed, magnified views or specially angled films are taken during the mammogram. There are some experimental screening modalities that are currently being studied. These include MRI, ductal lavage, ultrasound, optical tomography, PET scan, and digital mammograms. Depending on the results of the mammograms and/or ultrasounds, your doctors may recommend that you get a biopsy.

Treatment

There are a number of options available to men with regard to the treatment of breast cancer like surgery (modified mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The survival rates for the males with breast cancer are similar to that of females with breast cancer. So men should be made mentally prepared about the fact that breast cancer can also affect them. So males need to examine regularly for the breast cancer in advanced age.

Mesothelioma cancer

Introduction

Mesothelioma is the most deadliest form of cancer caused due to previous exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma develops when the malignant cells develop in the protective covering named peritoneal mesothelium protecting most of the body organs internally. Most of People suffering from mesothelioma cancer are the people working on the jobs where they inhale asbestos fibers or dust or the people inhaling asbestos in the cement environment or people inhaling asbestos while washing the asbestos stacked clothes. People working in the industries like cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation are more at risk.

Asbestos

Asbestos has also been shown to mediate the entry of foreign DNA into target cells. Incorporation of this foreign DNA may lead to mutations and oncogenesis by several possible mechanisms:

• Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes


• Activation of oncogenes


• Activation of proto-oncogenes due to incorporation of foreign DNA containing a promoter region


• Activation of DNA repair enzymes, which may be prone to error


• Activation of telomerase


• Prevention of apoptosis

Mesothelioma cancer does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Types of mesothelioma cancer

There are two main types of mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma or lung cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma

1. Pleural mesothelioma or lung cancer
   

   Pleural mesothelioma is found to be the most lethal. Asbestos remains cut in to the inner layers of lungs and reach pleura mesothelium. After cutting mesothelium, these remains cause irritation and develop cancerous tumors and affects the lining surrounding and lubricating the lungs. Without lubrication expansion and contraction of lungs get affecting, resulting in to the abnormal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

   
   Signs and symptoms of Pleural mesothelioma:
   
   
   
   • Shortness of breath
   
   
   • Persistent coughing
   
   
   • Chest wall pain
   
   
   • Wheezing and hoarseness
   
   
   • Pleural effusions or fluid surrounding the lung
   
   
   • Blood in the sputum coughed up
   
   
   
   Diagnosis
   
   
   
   • Medical history of patient
   
   
   • Chest X-ray. It shows the thickening of pleural wall, which is commonly due to asbestos exposure.
   
   
   • Lung function tests
   
   
   • CT scan or MRI
   
   
   • If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology
   
   
   • Biopsy is needed if cytology is positive
   
   
   • Detection of mesothelin related protein in the serum
   
   
   • Thoracoscopy -. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.
   
   
   
   


2. Peritoneal mesothelioma
   

   Asbestos fibers ingested and reached the digestive tract, these cut through the lining of stomach and intestines. Asbestos fibers here cut these organs and penetrate the peritoneal mesothelium, develop tumors and hence, develop peritoneal mesothelioma. As a result hinder the lubricating action of these organs. As a consequence these organs are no more able to lubricate and process the food.

   
   

   Signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma:

   
   
   
   
   • Weight loss and Cachexia
   
   
   • Abdominal swelling and pain
   
   
   • Bowel obstruction
   
   
   • Anemia and fever
   
   
   • Blood clotting abnormalities
   
   
   • Abdominal mass
   
   
   • Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
   
   
   • If mesothelioma spread beyond mesothelium then it may cause pain, dangerous swelling, swelling of neck or face. But all the symptoms of mesothelioma develop after 20 to 50 years exposure of asbestos.
   
   
   
   Diagnosis:
   
   
   
   • Medical history of patient
   
   
   • Chest X-ray
   
   
   • Detection of mesothelin related protein in the serum
   
   
   • EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) in a membranous distribution
   
   
   • Laparoscopy - To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
   
   
   
   

Treatment

1. Surgery
   

   (a) Pleurectomy / decortication- lining of chest is removed. This is the most common surgery (b) Extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP)- lining of the inside of the chest, the hemi-diaphragm and the pericardium are removed.

   
   


2. Radiation
   

   Tumor is highly resistant to radiotherapy and this is helpful in obstructing the major blood vessel and hence, prevents the growth of tumors.

   
   


3. Chemotherapy
   

   Pemetrexed is used for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is used in combination with Cisplatin.

   
   


4. Heated Intraoperative Intra-peritoneal Chemotherapy
   

   The surgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent, heated to between 40 and 48°C, in the abdomen. Perfuse the fluid for 60 to 120 minutes and then drain it. Heating the chemotherapy treatment increases the penetration of the drugs into tissues. Also, heating itself damages the malignant cells more than the normal cells.

   
   

Old women with breast cancer get poor care as compared to young women study finds

Researchers from the University of Manchester found they are less likely to get a range of diagnostic tests and treatments. Writing in the British Journal of Cancer, they say this is likely to lead to higher rates of cancer recurring, and higher death rates. Cancer campaigners said women of all age’s deserved high standards of care (BBC NEWS).

The highest incidence of breast cancer in England occurs in women aged 70 and over. They also have a lower chance of surviving the disease - women aged 70-79 has a 76% chance of surviving for five years after their illness, compared to 80% for all ages. This drops to 61% for women aged 80 or over - a fall, which is not explained by their increase in age.