Breast cancer in men is rare but real, and early detection combined with comprehensive treatment can make a significant difference in outcomes and quality of life.

How Treatment Helps Men with Breast Cancer Live Better Lives

When a man receives a diagnosis of breast cancer, the main goal of treatment is to remove or destroy cancer cells, prevent the disease from spreading, and help him return to everyday activities as much as possible. Treatment aims to improve survival, reduce symptoms, and maintain quality of life during and after therapy. The specific approach depends on several important factors, including the stage of the cancer, the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and the patient’s overall health and personal preferences.^[7]

Because male breast cancer is uncommon—making up less than 1% of all breast cancer cases—many men may not realize they need treatment until the disease has progressed. This makes awareness and timely medical attention especially important. Standard treatments approved by medical societies and cancer organizations have been developed based on decades of research, primarily in women but adapted for men. At the same time, researchers are constantly exploring new therapies through clinical trials, testing innovative drugs and approaches that may one day become standard options.^[3][7]

Treatment decisions are made by a team of specialists who work together to create a personalized plan. This team often includes surgeons, medical oncologists who manage chemotherapy and other drug treatments, radiation oncologists, nurses, and support staff. They consider not only the cancer itself but also the man’s age, other health conditions, and what matters most to him in terms of treatment outcomes and side effects.^[11]

Standard Treatment Options That Doctors Use Today

The foundation of treating male breast cancer usually involves surgery. Because men have less breast tissue than women, and because the most common type of male breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer that starts in the milk ducts and spreads to other breast tissue), surgery is often the first step. The most common surgical procedure is a mastectomy, which means removing the entire breast tissue, including the nipple and surrounding skin. In most cases, surgeons also remove lymph nodes from the armpit to check whether cancer has spread beyond the breast.^[9][11]

Another type of surgery that may be offered is called a modified radical mastectomy, which removes the breast, the lining over the chest muscles, and lymph nodes in the armpit. Sometimes, if the cancer is detected very early and is small, a surgeon may perform a less extensive surgery called a lumpectomy, removing only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue. However, this is less common in men because breast cancer in men is often diagnosed at a later stage when the tumor is larger or has already spread.^[3][15]

After surgery, many men receive additional treatments to reduce the chance of cancer coming back. One of these is radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill any remaining cancer cells in the chest area. Radiation is usually given after a mastectomy if the tumor was large, if cancer was found in multiple lymph nodes, or if the cancer had grown into the chest wall or skin. Radiation is delivered over several weeks, typically five days a week, with each session lasting only a few minutes. Side effects may include tiredness, skin redness or irritation in the treated area, and a feeling similar to a sunburn that gradually fades after treatment ends.^[11][14]

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is often recommended for men whose cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, or if the tumor is large and aggressive. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor, making it easier to remove, or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may have spread but are not yet visible on scans. The drugs are usually given through a vein in cycles, with rest periods in between to allow the body to recover. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, extreme tiredness, increased risk of infections, and changes in appetite. Most side effects are temporary and improve after treatment ends, although some men may experience longer-lasting effects such as peripheral neuropathy, a condition causing tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet.^[9][14]

Most male breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive, meaning the cancer cells have receptors that respond to hormones like estrogen and progesterone. In these cases, doctors prescribe hormone therapy, also called anti-estrogen therapy, to block the effects of these hormones and prevent cancer cells from growing. The most commonly used drug is tamoxifen, which blocks estrogen from attaching to cancer cells. Tamoxifen is taken as a pill once a day, usually for five to ten years after initial treatment. Another class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors, such as letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane, may also be used. These drugs lower the amount of estrogen the body makes. Hormone therapy is generally well tolerated, but men may experience side effects such as hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, decreased sexual desire, and joint pain.^[12][15]

For men whose breast cancer cells have high levels of a protein called HER2, targeted therapy drugs may be recommended. These drugs specifically attack cancer cells with HER2 receptors, leaving normal cells less affected. Trastuzumab is one such drug, often given through an infusion into a vein every few weeks. Targeted therapies are usually combined with chemotherapy and have been shown to improve outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer. Side effects can include heart problems, so doctors monitor heart function closely during treatment.^[12][13]

Treatment duration varies depending on the type and stage of cancer. Surgery and radiation are typically completed within a few months, while chemotherapy may last several months, and hormone therapy often continues for several years. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor for any signs of cancer returning and to manage any long-term side effects of treatment.^[11]

Promising New Treatments Being Tested in Clinical Trials

While standard treatments have proven effective for many men with breast cancer, researchers are constantly working to develop new therapies that may work even better or have fewer side effects. Clinical trials are research studies where new drugs, combinations of treatments, or innovative approaches are tested in patients to see if they are safe and effective. Participating in a clinical trial may give men access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet available to the general public.^[7]

Clinical trials are conducted in phases. Phase I trials focus on testing the safety of a new drug or treatment, determining the right dose, and identifying side effects. These trials usually involve a small number of patients. Phase II trials test whether the treatment is effective against the cancer and continue to monitor safety. Phase III trials compare the new treatment to the current standard treatment to see if it works better, causes fewer side effects, or improves survival. Only after a treatment successfully passes through all phases can it be approved for widespread use.^[7]

One area of active research is immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Normally, the immune system attacks foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, but cancer cells can sometimes hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy drugs, called checkpoint inhibitors, block proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells. Drugs such as pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are being studied in breast cancer, particularly in tumors that have high levels of certain markers or in cancers that have spread to other parts of the body. Early results from some trials have shown that immunotherapy can shrink tumors and improve survival in certain patients, although not all breast cancers respond to these treatments. Side effects can include fatigue, skin rash, diarrhea, and in some cases, inflammation of organs such as the lungs, liver, or intestines.^[12]

Another promising area is the development of new targeted therapies that focus on specific genetic mutations or proteins found in cancer cells. For example, drugs called CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, block proteins that help cancer cells divide and grow. These drugs are often used in combination with hormone therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers that have spread. Clinical trials have shown that adding CDK4/6 inhibitors to hormone therapy can significantly slow cancer growth and extend the time before the disease worsens. Side effects may include low blood cell counts, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.^[12]

For men with breast cancer caused by inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, a class of drugs called PARP inhibitors is being studied. These drugs, including olaparib and talazoparib, work by blocking an enzyme that cancer cells use to repair their DNA. When combined with the genetic defect already present in BRCA-mutated cells, this leads to cancer cell death. PARP inhibitors have shown promise in clinical trials for patients with advanced breast cancer who carry BRCA mutations. Side effects can include nausea, fatigue, anemia, and low platelet counts.^[12]

Clinical trials for male breast cancer are conducted in many locations, including the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. Because male breast cancer is rare, some trials specifically focus on men, while others include both men and women with breast cancer. Eligibility for a trial depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, previous treatments received, overall health, and specific genetic or molecular features of the tumor. Men interested in participating in a clinical trial should discuss this option with their oncologist, who can help determine if any suitable trials are available and explain the potential benefits and risks.^[7]

Most common treatment methods

• Surgery
  • Mastectomy is the most common surgery, removing the entire breast and nipple, often along with lymph nodes in the armpit.
  • Modified radical mastectomy removes the breast, chest muscle lining, and armpit lymph nodes.
  • Lumpectomy may be performed if the cancer is very small and caught early, removing only the tumor and a small margin of tissue.
  • Surgery is usually the first step in treatment and aims to remove all visible cancer from the body.
• Radiation therapy
  • High-energy rays are used to kill remaining cancer cells after surgery.
  • Typically given five days a week for several weeks.
  • Helps reduce the risk of cancer returning in the chest area.
  • Common side effects include skin irritation and fatigue.
• Chemotherapy
  • Uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
  • May be given before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells.
  • Delivered in cycles through a vein, with rest periods in between.
  • Side effects include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and increased infection risk.
• Hormone therapy
  • Blocks or lowers hormones that fuel cancer cell growth in hormone receptor-positive cancers.
  • Tamoxifen is the most commonly used drug, taken daily as a pill for five to ten years.
  • Aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane) lower estrogen levels in the body.
  • Side effects may include hot flashes, joint pain, mood changes, and decreased sexual desire.
• Targeted therapy
  • Drugs such as trastuzumab target HER2-positive breast cancer cells.
  • CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) are used with hormone therapy to slow cancer growth.
  • PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) are studied for men with BRCA mutations.
  • These drugs specifically attack cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells.
• Immunotherapy
  • Checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and atezolizumab help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
  • Being studied in clinical trials for advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
  • Early results show promise in certain patients with specific tumor markers.
  • Side effects can include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and inflammation of organs.