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Diseases » Male Breast Cancer » Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Male Breast Cancer

Male Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Book Excerpts

Diagnostic Tests for Male Breast Cancer: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about diagnostis of Male Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer: Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The most reliable method of detecting breast cancer is the clinical breast examination, followed by immediate evaluation of any abnormality. Other diagnostic measures include mammography, ultrasound, needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy. Mammography is indicated for any woman whose physical examination suggests breast cancer. It should be done as a baseline on women between ages 35 and 39 and annually on all women older than age 40, on those who have a family history of breast cancer, and on those who have had unilateral breast cancer (to check for new disease).

ELDER TIP Unfortunately, many older women don't receive regular mammograms, even when recommended by health care professionals, either because they fear radiation, discovering cancer, or discomfort during the procedure or because they're embarrassed about exposing their breasts.

The value of mammography is questionable for women under age 35 (because of the density of the breasts), except for those women who are strongly suspected of having breast cancer. False-negative results can occur in as many as 30% of all tests. Consequently, with a suspicious mass, a negative mammogram should be disregarded, and a fine-needle aspiration or surgical biopsy should be done. Ultrasonography, which can distinguish a fluid-filled cyst from a tumor, can also be used instead of an invasive surgical biopsy.

Bone scan, brain scan, computed tomography scan, measurement of alkaline phosphatase levels, liver function studies, and liver biopsy can detect distant metastases. A hormonal receptor assay done on the tumor can determine if the tumor is estrogen or progesterone dependent. (This test guides decisions to use therapy that blocks the action of the estrogen hormone that supports tumor growth.)

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Breast cancer: Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)

Diagnostic measures for breast cancer include the following.

Breast self-examination

Although not proven to lower mortality rates, breast self-examination may detect palpable breast lumps, allowing the woman to contact her physician for early evaluation.

Mammography and biopsies

Other diagnostic measures include mammography, a needle biopsy, and a surgical biopsy. Mammography is indicated for any woman whose physical examination might suggest breast cancer. It should be done as a baseline on women ages 35 to 39, every 1 to 2 years for women ages 40 to 49, and annually for women older than age 50, women who have a family history of breast cancer, and women who have had unilateral breast cancer, to check for new disease. However, the value of mammography is questionable for women younger than age 35 (because of the density of the breasts), except those who are strongly suspected of having breast cancer.

False-negative results can occur in as many as 30% of all tests. Consequently, with a suspicious mass, a normal mammogram result should be disregarded, and a fine-needle aspiration or surgical biopsy should be done. Ultrasonography, which can distinguish a fluid-filled cyst from a tumor, can also be used instead of an invasive surgical biopsy.

Other tests

Bone scan, computed tomography scan, measurement of alkaline phosphatase levels, liver function studies, and a liver biopsy can detect distant metastasis. A hormonal receptor assay done on the tumor can determine if the tumor is estrogen- or progesterone-dependent. (This test guides decisions to use therapy that blocks the action of the estrogen hormone that supports tumor growth.)

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003