No clinics available
At Medijump, we're making medical easy. You can search, compare, discuss, and book your medical all in one place. We open the door to the best medical providers worldwide, saving you time and energy along the way, and it's all for FREE, no hidden fees, and no price markups guaranteed. So what are you waiting for?
There are different types of treatment for men with breast cancer. Because there have been few clinical treatments for male breast cancer, most doctors recommend the treatment options based on their experience of treating women with breast cancer.
To determine your treatment options, several important factors need to be considered. These include the stage of your cancer, how fast the cancer is growing, your overall health, and your preference. The treatment for male breast cancer often involves surgery and may be combined with other treatments. The five types of treatment used are surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
Surgery
Surgery is usually the first treatment if a breast abnormality is found to be cancerous. It aims to remove the tumor, as well as some surrounding breast tissue. There are several types of surgery that can be performed:
Mastectomy – The most common type of mastectomy performed in men is called a modified radical mastectomy. This surgery involves removing the nipple, areola (the dark, round area around the nipple), and all of the breast tissue. Many of the lymph nodes under the arm, and sometimes, part of the chest wall muscles may be removed as well.
Lumpectomy – Also known as breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy is a procedure to remove cancer but not the breast itself. It involves removing the tumor (lump) and a small amount of normal tissue that surrounds it. However, this type of surgery is rarely done because men’s breasts are very small. By the time the tissue and the surrounding tumor have been removed, very little breast tissue is left.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy – this type of surgery involves removing a few lymph nodes for testing. The lymph nodes are most likely to be the first place that cancer cells would spread. Your doctor will remove a few lymph nodes and analyze them. If no cancer cells are found, then there is a good chance that breast cancer has not spread. However, if cancer is found, additional lymph nodes will need to be removed for further testing.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by stopping the cells from dividing or by killing them. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered through a vein in your arm (intravenously) or taken by mouth in the form of a pill. Sometimes, both methods can be used. This type of treatment may be carried out after surgery to lower the risk of your breast cancer coming back. In men with advanced breast cancer or those with cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, chemotherapy may be the main treatment option.
Hormone therapy
Some types of breast cancer rely on certain hormones to grow (hormone receptor). With hormone therapy, the effects of these hormones are blocked. As a result, the growth of the cancer is stopped.
Hormone therapy for male breast cancer usually involves medication called tamoxifen. In some cases, the removal of the testes reduces the amount of certain male hormones in your body. Men who have breast cancer should never take testosterone as it causes the cancer cells to grow.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill or stop cancer cells from growing. Radiation therapy has two types:
Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance that is sealed in seeds, wires, needles, or catheters that are placed near or directly into cancer.
External radiation therapy involves the use of a machine outside of the body. This machine sends radiation toward cancer.
Targeted therapy
Some men have an excess of a protein (HER2) that can make cancer spread quickly. In this case, your doctor will use drugs or substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. The drug may also boost your immune system, which gives it more strength to fight cancer.
Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you have. With surgery, you usually need to stay in the hospital for at least a day and stay in Dallas for about 7 to 10 days. For chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy, your length of stay can vary depending on your treatment schedule or treatment plan. Your doctor and/or medical travel team will be able to advise you on this.
The recovery time for surgery can take around 4 to 6 weeks, but you should be able to return to work in 2 to 3 weeks following the surgery. Side effects after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy generally reduce within a few weeks to several months.
After any type of treatment, your doctor will give you detailed aftercare instructions, what you should and foods to avoid, exercise your plan and restrictions. It is important that you follow the instructions closely. Remember, you will require regular checkups with your doctor for the rest of your life.
Male breast cancer treatment is safe and effective. However, the success rate depends on the stage of cancer and how fast the cancer is growing. All types of treatment carry possible risk and side effects, such as infection, bleeding, hematoma, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and heart problems.
There are currently no other alternatives to the treatments mentioned above. Some men with breast cancer take part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study used to obtain information on new treatments or help to improve current treatments for patients with cancer.
Before male breast cancer treatment, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms and your cancer is likely to spread to other parts of the body. After successful male breast cancer treatment, most of the symptoms should be gone. You may also be incomplete remission (no evidence of disease or NED).
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
Enquire Now
Dallas, or nicknamed as the Big D, is a metropolitan city located in North Texas. The city is known for its massive excellent museums, youthful vibe, edgy culture, and distinctive neighborhoods. Thanks to its charming attractions combined with world-class medical centers, the city is now a rising medical tourism destination. Additionally, the expansion of the medical district in Northwest Dallas has contributed to the city’s popularity as a medical destination. The district is home to numerous significant hospitals and institutions, such as UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital. More and more people, both from other cities in the United States or from other countries in the world, come to Dallas to get treatment with modern medical equipment, professional doctors, and world-class medical centers. Among the surgeries and treatments available, lung treatment is the most sought-after procedure.
June to August is Summer in Dallas, and the temperatures can soar to over 30 °C. In addition to the heat, the high humidity levels will make the weather feel unbearable. However, it is the most popular time to visit the city. Autumn brings cooler and pleasant weather to the city. The temperatures can drop to 21 °C, and the city will be less crowded than the summer. Winter starts in December and ends in February. Average daytime highs are around 10 °C, but there are days with below-freezing temperatures. The city may also receive a few days of snowfall. From Mach to May is spring and the temperatures are rising to 21 °C, but there is a lot of rain during this season.
The primary international airport is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It is the ninth busiest international gateway in the United States and operates flights to and from many cities around the world, including London, Dubai, and Tokyo. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, and several budget airlines serve flights from this airport, such as Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.
The city has a light rail system that connects the downtown with many other areas in the city. It is operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and features four lines (Red, Orange, Green, and Blue) servicing 64 stations. The trains run from 5.00 AM to midnight. There is also another train system known as the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) that connects Dallas and Fort Worth. The TRE trains from Fort Worth and Dallas operate from 5.00 AM to 11.00 PM from Monday to Friday. Dallas Area Rapid Transit also operates an extensive bus system that serves 11,000 stops throughout central Dallas and the Metroplex. Taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, especially for first-time visitors as they are relatively inexpensive with an initial charge of $5 and then $3 for each mile.
Canada, Marshall Island, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access to enter the United States. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries, such as Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, are selected for the Visa Waiver Program, which means they can enter without a visa. Other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply and obtain a visa to enter the country. All visitors may stay for up to 90 days. It is advisable to check the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.