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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Possible Male breast cancer or gynecomastia?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Possible Male breast cancer or gynecomastia?
by Joe21, Sep 06, 2003 12:00AM
I beleive (and hope)I have unilateral Gyne. Heres my story:
At around 15 I developed the "perfect round disc" under my right nipple (synonymous with Gyne.) it was there for about 3 months, this is disappeared, later reappeared under my right nipple, stayed there about a few months, then it dissappeared. So for awhile i was lump less, problably around 16 i developed a slightly bigger, not so smooth one underneath the left nipple. Im 21 right now and have had it ever since. I have slight puffyness in the left breast and the a disc like lump under my nipple. Its very much like a disc when you press against yourself and rub in a circular motion. I have no symptoms of cancer, no discharge bleeding, discoloration, no lumps under my arms, inversion of nipple. Anyway, the lump over the years has hurt on an off. not like a hurt as much as a little soreness, the surrounding area is somtimes sensitive. Its 90% painless unless I feel it awhile, then it feels a little sore. Im a healthly kid, active, I workout 3 times a week, never did any kind of drugs that would induce this,like steroids. Im also concerned because now when i take a deep breath and stretch my arms out, around where my lump is I feel a pain, from the lifting heavy weights maybe? its only when i take a deep breath in and stretch, it almost feels like a pulled muscle but it feels the same almost every time i do it and its been 3 weeks. so Ive had the lump for about 5 years now, ive moved locations several times, and went through several girlfriends, could this be a hormone imbalance I developed? or cause for concern?
At around 15 I developed the "perfect round disc" under my right nipple (synonymous with Gyne.) it was there for about 3 months, this is disappeared, later reappeared under my right nipple, stayed there about a few months, then it dissappeared. So for awhile i was lump less, problably around 16 i developed a slightly bigger, not so smooth one underneath the left nipple. Im 21 right now and have had it ever since. I have slight puffyness in the left breast and the a disc like lump under my nipple. Its very much like a disc when you press against yourself and rub in a circular motion. I have no symptoms of cancer, no discharge bleeding, discoloration, no lumps under my arms, inversion of nipple. Anyway, the lump over the years has hurt on an off. not like a hurt as much as a little soreness, the surrounding area is somtimes sensitive. Its 90% painless unless I feel it awhile, then it feels a little sore. Im a healthly kid, active, I workout 3 times a week, never did any kind of drugs that would induce this,like steroids. Im also concerned because now when i take a deep breath and stretch my arms out, around where my lump is I feel a pain, from the lifting heavy weights maybe? its only when i take a deep breath in and stretch, it almost feels like a pulled muscle but it feels the same almost every time i do it and its been 3 weeks. so Ive had the lump for about 5 years now, ive moved locations several times, and went through several girlfriends, could this be a hormone imbalance I developed? or cause for concern?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Sep 08, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Joe21, It is unlikely that this mass is due to breast cancer. Male breast cancer is rare, but one out of every 150 cases of breast cancer involves a man, usually in men over 60 years old. Although a painless breast lump is the most common sign, most breast lumps in men are benign (non-cancerous) and are related to some other cause. The first step in determining what the cause might be in your situation would be to have this checked out be a health care professional, they can ask questions and do an examination.
Member Comments (2)
by surgeon, Sep 06, 2003 12:00AM
What you describe sounds like gynecomastia, as you said. Male breast cancer, rare as it is, is almost unheard of at your age; and having had the lump for as long as you have, without significant change, makes it virtually certain it's not cancer. The soreness you describe sounds muscular; gynecomastia can be tender, but usually not exertion related. And the fact that it's a symmetrical, disc-like lump is also typical of gyncecomastia. Of course, no online analysis can be considered accurate; the safest thing is to have it checked out.
