These are the size of the tumour and the lymph node status. This information is combined with clinical and radiological staging data to produce an overall stage for the patient. The management of the patient is dependent on a combination of clinical, radiological and pathological information. Spread of tumours Breast cancers tend to spread via the lymphatic system to the axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes. Blood vascular spread may also occur but is not as common as lymphatic dissemination.
Treatment includes surgical excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Endocrine therapy in the form of Tamoxifen may also be used. The most common breast pathology in males is gynaecomastia. This is a benign enlargement in which there is stromal proliferation with mild hyperplasia of the ductal epithelium. Men do not have lobular proliferation. It may be unilateral or bilateral.