The following types of breast cancer are encountered in men: - infiltrating ductal carcinoma: the cancer that has gone beyond the cells that outline the ducts of the breast. Most men with breast cancer have this type of cancer; - in situ ductal carcinoma: the abnormal cells are found in the area outlining the ducts, and this disease is also called an intraductal carcinoma; - inflammatory breast cancer: a form of cancer where the breast is red and tumefied (swollen) as well as warm; - Paget disease of the mamelon (nipple): a tumor that has developed from the ducts below the nipple reaching to the surface of the nipple.

Lobular in situ carcinoma (abnormal cells found in one of the lobes or in certain parts of the breast), which sometimes occurs in women, has not been noted in men. Risk factors for breast cancer in men include: - exposure to radiation; - the existence of a disease associated with a high level of estrogens in the body, such as liver cirrhosis (a disease of the liver) or the Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disease); - the existence of female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives with changes in the BRCA2 gene.
Breast cancer in men is sometimes caused by genetic mutation (genetic changes) which is inherited. Tests for the examination of the breasts are also used to discover and diagnose breast cancer in men. A doctor needs to be consulted if there are changes in the breast. Typically, men with breast cancer have nodules (bumps) which can be felt by touch. A biopsy performed can verify the existence of the cancer.
There are various types of biopsies: - biopsy using a needle: the extraction of some of the tumor, tissue or suspicious fluid using a fine needle; this procedure is also called a biopsy through aspiration using a thing needle; - central biopsy: the removal of some of the tumor or suspicious tissue using a thick needle; - excision biopsy: the complete removal of a tumor or of suspicious tissue.

Once the tissue or fluid has been removed, an anatomopathologist analyzes the samples under a microscope and looks for cancerous cells. The survival rate of patients with male breast cancer symptoms is similar to the survival rate of women patients, when the stage of the cancer, upon diagnosis, is the same, In any case, breast cancer in men is often diagnosed in later stages. It is highly unlikely that a cancer diagnosed in later stages can be cured.