For men whose cancer seems to be limited to the breast, with no sign of spread to other parts of the body, the usual surgical treatment is a modified radical mastectomy. This involves the removal of the breast tissue and removal of lymph glands from under the arm on the same side of the body.

There are approximately 20 lymph glands in the armpit (axilla), although the exact number varies from person to person. The lymph glands are examined to check whether any cancer cells have spread into them from the breast. This helps doctors decide what other treatment is required. The modified radical mastectomy leaves the major muscle on front of the chest (pectoralis major muscle) in place. Apart from the loss of the nipple, the cosmetic change is quite minor.

Radical mastectomy involves removing the pectoralis major. The cosmetic results are therefore not as good. However, this operation is used rarely and only in specific situations. It is used to treat men whose cancer has spread into the muscle and are unable to have chemotherapy.

As men have much less breast tissue than women the ‘breast sparing’ operations, like lumpectomy, which are often done for women are not suitable for men. This is because there would be too high a risk of leaving traces of the cancer behind.

Breast reconstruction surgery is not commonly done in men, but it is possible. If you would like to know more your surgeon will be able to talk this over with you.