Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cancer of the breast, male

Your GP will refer you for tests if you show symptoms of male breast cancer such as lumps in the breast or nipple discharge. This does not mean you have cancer, but that further tests are needed to find out what is causing the symptoms.

Women are usually tested using a breast x-ray called a mammogram, but in men a breast ultrasound scan is usually more effective. An ultrasound examines soft tissue instead of bone and can show changes in the breast tissue.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is often used to remove breast cells and fluid for examination. The cells are drawn out through a thin needle inserted into your breast.

Sometimes a small piece of breast tissue is removed for tests. This is a needle core biopsy and usually takes place under local anaesthetic.

A physical examination is used to differentiate breast cancer from gynaecomastia (abnormal swelling of the breast). Ultrasound and x-rays are often unable to tell the difference between these conditions. If you have gynaecomastia, the doctor will usually be able to feel a smooth disk-shaped lump behind the nipple; whereas cancerous lumps are usually more bumpy and uneven.

If you are worried about breast cancer running in your family, and your GP thinks you have a higher than average risk, you can visit a family cancer genetic clinic for tests and counselling.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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